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

He’s also endorsed drinking raw milk, cutting added sugar and consuming more creatine, which is a natural compound that our muscles use as a source of energy.

From Salon • May 23, 2026

From helping cells produce energy to its possible role in treating certain health conditions, creatine has become an increasingly important focus of research.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

Men and women may experience different effects due to differences in muscle mass and baseline creatine levels.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

Dr. Mehdi Boroujerdi, a pharmaceutical researcher and former professor, has conducted an in depth review of creatine in the Handbook of Creatine and Creatinine In Vivo Kinetics.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

Both creatine and creatinine are readily soluble in water.

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