choline

American  

[koh-leen, kol-een] / ˈkoʊ lin, ˈkɒl in /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a quaternary ammonium cation, C 5 H 14 N + O, one of the B-complex vitamins, found in the lecithin of many plants and animals.

2. choline hydroxide, C 5 H 15 NO 2 , the viscous, strongly alkaline commercial form of this compound, usually synthesized, used as a feed supplement, especially for poultry, and in medicine in certain liver conditions.

3. choline chloride, C 5 H 14 ClNO.

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choline British  

/ ˈkəʊliːn, -ɪn, ˈkɒl- /

noun

1. a colourless viscous soluble alkaline substance present in animal tissues, esp as a constituent of lecithin: used as a supplement to the diet of poultry and in medicine for preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver. Formula:[(CH 3 ) 3 NCH 2 CH 2 OH] ⁺ OH ^–

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choline Scientific  

/ kō′lēn′ /

1. A natural amine often classed in the vitamin B complex. It is incorporated into the structure of many other biologically important molecules, such as acetylcholine and lecithin. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₁₅ NO ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of choline

First recorded in 1855–60; chol- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

choline

Even more striking, feeding the worms phosphatidylcholine or its precursor, choline, restored a more youthful mitochondrial structure within just two days.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

Norepinephrine is often elevated in anxiety disorders, and the UC Davis researchers suggest that this heightened arousal may increase the brain's demand for choline.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2026

Maddock had previously seen low choline levels in studies of people with panic disorder.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2026

Although the body can make a small amount on its own, most choline must come from food.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2026

In another group of extracts from brain or nerve tissue, amino-ethanol H2NCH2CH2OH is found instead of the choline of lecithin.

From History of Phosphorus by Eduard Farber