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  

/ ˈkriːətɪn, ˈkriːəˌtiːn, -tɪn /

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. )

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Compare meaning

How does creatine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• creatine vs. creatinine

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

creatine

A sports medicine doctor says: The thinking around creatine has changed in the last two decades, says Tracy Zaslow, a Cedars-Sinai Sports Medicine specialist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

Most of the creatine in our bodies — about 95% — is stored in our skeletal muscles, with a smaller amount stored in the brain, heart and other tissues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

For adults, the recommended daily dose of creatine is three to five grams.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

Nouraei tells her patients and clients, however, that the safest way to start taking creatine would be incrementally, beginning with three grams daily for a week, then four, then to five.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

Creatinine is produced from creatine with great facility; it exists in urine.

From The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition by A. W. Duncan

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