/məˈtæbəlɪzəm ||; məˈtæbḷˌɪzəm/noun [U] [sing] the chemical processes in plants or animals that change food into energy and help them grow 新陈代谢（作用）: An athlete has a faster metabolism than most ordinary people. 运动员的新陈代谢要比大多数普通人快。 ➔metabolic /ˌmetəˈbɒlɪk ||; ˌmɛtəˈbɑlɪk/ adj a high/low metabolic rate 高╱低代谢率