1 opsin | Definition of opsin
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

opsin

noun
op·​sin | \ ˈäp-sÉ™n How to pronounce opsin (audio) \

Definition of opsin

: any of various colorless proteins that in combination with retinal or a related prosthetic group form a visual pigment (such as rhodopsin) in a reaction reversible by light

Examples of opsin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Notably, silver spinyfin fish (Diretmus argenteus) turned out to have 38 rod opsin genes. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Some Fish Can See in Color at 5,000 Feet Below Sea Level," 10 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opsin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of opsin

1951, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for opsin

probably from rhodopsin

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for opsin

opsin

noun
op·​sin | \ ˈäp-sÉ™n How to pronounce opsin (audio) \

Medical Definition of opsin

: any of various colorless proteins that in combination with retinal or a related prosthetic group form a visual pigment (as rhodopsin) in a reaction which is reversed by light

More from Merriam-Webster on opsin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about opsin

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!