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

OpenEvidence doesn’t have my information, but its advice to take magnesium and creatine was consistent with suggestions from Perplexity and Claude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

He has recently touted creatine supplements and an AI calorie-tracking app.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

So I won’t buy a jump rope, and I won’t take creatine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Katie, who is also perimenopausal, started taking six grams of creatine a day three months ago, and is beginning to feel a difference.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2025

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