bile salt

noun

plural bile salts

1

: a salt of bile acid

especially : one (such as taurocholic acid) formed in the liver from the combination of a bile acid (such as cholic acid) with the amino acid glycine or taurine

2

bile salts plural : a dry mixture of the salts of the bile of the ox that is used especially as a digestive aid in the breakdown and absorption of fats

Examples of bile salt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The stomach contains acid, enzymes, and bile salts, which are necessary for digestion, but which kill some living probiotics. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 May 2026

Liver disease often damages the bile ducts, which causes a compound called bile salt to build up in the blood. — Brittany Risher, SELF, 6 Dec. 2024

Taurine is involved in energy production, blood sugar and calcium regulation, bile salt formation, fetal development, and mitochondrial function. — Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Incorporating foods rich in fiber can aid digestion and prevent bile salts from crystallizing into stones. — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023

Most bile salts will be reabsorbed later on at the end of the small intestine, recirculating them for reuse. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 19 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bile salt

• somersault
• thunderbolt
• alt
• fault
• gault
• halt
• malt
• sault
• vault
• walt
• asphalt
• assault

Medical Definition

bile salt

noun

1

: a salt of bile acid

especially : one (such as taurocholic or glycolic acid) formed in the liver from the combination of a bile acid (such as cholic or deoxycholic acid) with glycine or taurine

2

bile salts plural : a dry mixture of the salts of the bile of the ox used especially as a digestive aid in the breakdown and absorption of fat

called also ox bile, ox bile extract