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 researchers think that chronic fight-or-flight activity may raise the brain's need for choline.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

That does not mean choline supplements are a proven treatment for anxiety.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Even though the researchers expected to see reduced choline, the consistency of the result stood out.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Research from UC Davis Health found that people diagnosed with anxiety disorders had lower levels of choline in the brain than people without anxiety.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Try to buy the kind of lecithin that has the highest phosphatidyl choline content because this substance is the second benefit of taking lecithin.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve