1. A protein-digesting enzyme obtained from the fruit of the papaya plant, used in medicine, food processing, and industry.
Usage: Uncountable noun; Technical/scientific term

Examples

• Papain is commonly used as a meat tenderizer in cooking.
• The enzyme papain breaks down proteins in the digestive system.
• Some traditional medicines contain papain for treating wounds.
• Food manufacturers add papain to certain products to improve texture.
• Papain is extracted from unripe papaya fruit for commercial use.