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

The soft and flexible gel is made with water and a choline based liquid that is antibacterial, nontoxic, and biocompatible.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

They reported that TMA, formed by gut microbes from dietary choline present in several foods, can support improved blood-sugar control.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2025

"We don't know yet if increasing choline in the diet will help reduce anxiety. More research will be needed," Maddock said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

Foods that provide choline include beef liver, egg yolks, beef, chicken, fish, soybeans and milk, among others.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

It is now known, however, that chlorophyll contains neither choline nor phosphorus, the earlier observations being due to mixtures of various other materials with the true chlorophyll in the extracts which were examined.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred