Standard Lemma guide

synthetase

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈsɪnθəteɪ̯s/
  • /ˈsɪnθəteɪ̯z/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a biological compound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: synthase

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Such an enzyme that, more specifically, uses ATP as a source of energy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English synthesis Proto-Indo-European *dwóh1 Proto-Indo-European *dwísder. Ancient Greek διά (diá) Ancient Greek δῐᾰ- (dĭă-) Proto-Indo-European *steh2- Proto-Indo-European *stísteh2ti Proto-Hellenic *hístāmi Ancient Greek ῐ̔́στημῐ (hĭ́stēmĭ) Ancient Greek δῐῐ̈́στημῐ (dĭĭ̈́stēmĭ) Ancient Greek δῐᾰ́στᾰσῐς (dĭắstăsĭs) English diastase English -ase English synthetase From synthesis + -ase.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 合酶 (héméi) — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
  • Finnish: syntetaasi — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
  • Italian: sintetasi — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
  • Polish: syntetaza — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
  • Portuguese: sintetase — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
  • Spanish: sintetasa — ligase that synthesizes biological compounds
Real reading context

synthetase in complete knowledge articles