metabolic
A metabolic process is how your body turns food into energy and gets rid of waste. This can include things like digestion, breathing, or even sweating.
When we talk about something being "metabolic," it usually means that it's related to these internal processes that help us live. For example, a doctor might be interested in studying the metabolic changes that happen when someone gets old. They might want to know how certain foods can boost or slow down our metabolism - like eating more fiber can help your body work more efficiently. You might also hear about "metabolic disorders" which are problems with these internal processes. This could be something like diabetes, where the body has trouble turning food into energy.
If you think back to word parts, "meta-" usually means something that's above or beyond what's on the surface. So in this case, a metabolic process is kind of about what happens inside your body - beneath the surface.
How common is "metabolic"?
It appears most frequently in academic texts and less often in other writings.
adjective
Of or pertaining to metamorphosis; pertaining to, or involving, change.
Real examples of "metabolic" in context
