# protease

/ˈpɹoʊtiˌeɪz/ (US) · /pɹˈəʊteɪs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/protease
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a type of enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller pieces. Your body uses these to help digest food, and scientists use them in things like laundry detergent.

For teachers: an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins, breaking them down into amino acids or smaller polypeptides. Often used in industrial applications such as food processing and textile manufacturing.

## Examples

- Protease helps your body break down meat into nutrients.
- The new laundry detergent contains a heat-stable protease that removes protein-based stains like grass and blood.
- Researchers are investigating how specific protease inhibitors can block the replication of certain viruses by preventing the cleavage of essential viral proteins.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.