tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan 
variants or less commonly tryptophane
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfān
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Since it's not promoted, there's more tryptophan available to influence someone's tiredness. 
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2021 The 152 tryptophan is substituted for leucine in the California variants. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021 Without the ability to measure fecal coliform in real time, the Chicago River probes measure tryptophan-like fluorescence; researchers say readings spike after rain events or sewage dumps, similarly to fecal coliform levels. Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, 2 Sep. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 See More
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2021 The 152 tryptophan is substituted for leucine in the California variants. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021 Without the ability to measure fecal coliform in real time, the Chicago River probes measure tryptophan-like fluorescence; researchers say readings spike after rain events or sewage dumps, similarly to fecal coliform levels. Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, 2 Sep. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 Carbohydrates in berries can help to amplify serotonin production in the brain, while yogurt is a source of sleep-promoting tryptophan. Lisa Drayer, CNN, 20 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from German Tryptophan, from tryptisch tryptic + -o- -o- + -phan -phane
First Known Use
1890, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing tryptophan
Medical Definition
tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan
variants also tryptophane
-ˌfān
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins —abbreviation Trp