1. to introduce an acyl group into (a molecule or compound), typically in organic chemistry reactions
Usage: technical; chemistry

Examples

• The chemist acylates the amine to form an amide.
• Acylating agents are commonly used in synthetic organic chemistry.
• The enzyme acylates the substrate during the metabolic pathway.
• Researchers acylate the protein to study its function.
• The reaction acylates the hydroxyl group on the alcohol.