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

Without the ability to take up creatine, the cells survived less effectively, became less active, and were far less capable of preparing T cells to recognize and attack tumors.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

The findings, based on experiments in mice and human cells, build on previous research from the same laboratory showing that creatine also enhances the function of cancer-fighting T cells.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

Overall, the results suggest creatine could strengthen the immune system's anti-cancer defenses at multiple stages, beginning with the cells that detect cancer and initiate the body's response.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

Researchers also tested whether increasing creatine levels could produce the opposite effect.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

In vertebrates, the basis for the phosphoric acid is creatine, whereas invertebrates have arginine instead.

From History of Phosphorus by Farber, Eduard