1. relating to or characterized by the formation or presence of keratin, a tough fibrous protein found in skin, hair, and nails
Usage: medical/biological term; often used in pathology and dermatology

1. to undergo or cause to undergo the process of forming keratin or becoming keratinized
Usage: medical/biological term; present participle of keratinize

Examples

• The keratinizing cells in the outer layer of skin provide a protective barrier.
• Squamous cell carcinoma is a keratinizing tumor that arises from the epidermis.
• The tissue was keratinizing as part of the normal wound-healing process.
• Keratinizing metaplasia can occur in response to chronic irritation.
• Under the microscope, the pathologist identified keratinizing debris within the lesion.
• The epidermis undergoes keratinizing differentiation to form the stratum corneum.