acetylcholine

noun

ace·​tyl·​cho·​line ə-ˌse-tᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn 

-ˌsē-;

ˈa-sə-ˌtēl-

: a neurotransmitter [C₇H₁₆NO₂]⁺ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline

Examples of acetylcholine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) scans, along with a radioactive tracer to measure the production of a chemical called acetylcholine in the participants’ brains at the start and end of the study. —Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Oct. 2025

So when a person takes, say, a high dose of the motion sickness drug scopolamine — which blocks the effects of acetylcholine — things start to go awry. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025

The process that produces acetylcholine in the brain is called the cholinergic system. —Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025

Brain games that focus on boosting attention and improving processing speed — like BrainHQ’s Double Decision and Freeze Frame — appear to preserve acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter, according to the new research. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Acetylcholin, from Acetyl acetyl + Cholin choline

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acetylcholine

• succinylcholine
• methacholine
• phosphatidylcholine
• quinoline

Kids Definition

acetylcholine

noun

ace·​tyl·​cho·​line ə-ˌset-ᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn 

-ˌsēt-;

ˈas-ə-ˌtēl-

: a compound released at autonomic nerve endings that functions in carrying nerve impulses

Medical Definition

acetylcholine

noun

ace·​tyl·​cho·​line ə-ˌset-ᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn  -ˌsēt-; ˌas-ə-ˌtēl- 

: a neurotransmitter [C₇H₁₆NO₂]⁺ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions, active in the transmission of nerve impulses, and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline

acetylcholinic

-kō-ˈlin-ik 

adjective