catabolism
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
catabolism /kəˈtabəlɪz(ə)m/ (also katabolism)
▶noun Biology the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy.
– derivatives
catabolic /katəˈbɒlɪk/ adjective.
catabolic /katəˈbɒlɪk/ adjective.
– origin C19: from Gk katabolē ‘throwing down’.
'catabolism' also found in these Oxford entries:

