a white water-soluble crystalline compound with a saline taste and often an odour of ammonia, produced by protein metabolism and excreted in urine. A synthetic form is used as a fertilizer, animal feed, and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: CO(NH2)2
Also called: carbamide
Derived forms
ureal (uˈreal) or ureic (uˈreic)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from French urée, from Greek ouronurine
urea in American English
(jʊˈriə; ˈjʊriə)
noun
a highly soluble, crystalline solid, CO(NH2)2, found in the urine and other body fluids of mammals or produced synthetically: usedin making plastics, fertilizer, adhesives, etc.