tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan 
variants
or less commonly tryptophane
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins
Examples of tryptophan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cherries, bananas, nuts, milk, and whole grains contain sleep-promoting nutrients like melatonin, tryptophan, potassium, and magnesium, which are also ideal for nighttime snacking.3
1.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
The body uses tryptophan to help make melatonin and serotonin.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, contain tryptophan and isoflavones, which have mild estrogen-like effects.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2024
Pumpkin seeds may be a natural mood balancer thanks to tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tryptophan 
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Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
The body uses tryptophan to help make melatonin and serotonin.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, contain tryptophan and isoflavones, which have mild estrogen-like effects.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2024
Pumpkin seeds may be a natural mood balancer thanks to tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tryptophan
Dictionary Entries Near tryptophan
Cite this Entry
“Tryptophan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tryptophan. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan
: an amino acid that is found in many proteins and is necessary for life but cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be obtained in food
Medical Definition
tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan
variants
also tryptophane
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins
—abbreviation Trp
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