anabolism/əˈnæ.bəˌlɪ.zəm/EtymologyFrom Ancient Greek ἀνα- (ana-, “up”) + βάλλω (bállō, “I throw”) + -ism. Formed in analogy with metabolism.nounThe constructive metabolism of the body, as distinguished from catabolism.“We used to think bodybuilding was all about anabolism by way of turning on testosterone and growth hormone secretion.”