Noun: catabolism ku'ta-bu,li-zum
- Breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy
"Exercise increases the rate of catabolism in muscles";
- katabolism, dissimilation, destructive metabolism
Derived forms: catabolisms
Type of: biological process, organic process
Antonym: anabolism
Part of: metabolic process, metabolism
Encyclopedia: Catabolism