creatine

American  

[kree-uh-teen, -tin] / ˈkri əˌtin, -tɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an amino acid, C 4 H 9 N 3 O 2 , that is a constituent of the muscles of vertebrates and is phosphorylated to store energy used for muscular contraction.

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creatine British  

/ -tɪn, ˈkriːətɪn, ˈkriːəˌtiːn /

noun

1. an important metabolite involved in many biochemical reactions and present in many types of living cells

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creatine Scientific  

/ krē′ə-tēn′,-tĭn /

1. A nitrogenous organic acid that is found in the muscle tissue of vertebrates, mainly combined with phosphorus, and that supplies energy for muscle contraction. Chemical formula: C ₄ H ₉ N ₃ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of creatine

First recorded in 1830–40; creat- (from Greek kreat-, stem of kréas “flesh”) + -ine ² ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does creatine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• creatine vs. creatinine

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

creatine

According to the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the creatine breakthrough of the 1990s had "launched a new era in sports nutrition" and "sparked exploration into other supplements".

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Today, creatine is just one of a long list of supplements taken by elite athletes in this pursuit of marginal gains.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Thorne sells supplements including creatine, prenatal vitamins, hormone supplements and other products.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

On a recent weekday, about two dozen foreign attendees worked on laptops in the Network School’s cafe, which sold health supplements including creatine and collagen peptides.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

So notorious is this that it used to be held that the specific poison of glanders was generated in connection with the excess of creatine, creatinine, and lactic acid resulting from muscular action.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various