choline

noun cho·line \ ˈkō-ˌlēn \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of choline

: a basic compound C₅H₁₄NO that is found in various foods (such as egg yolks and legumes) or is synthesized in the liver, that is a component of lecithin and a precursor of acetylcholine, and that is essential to the metabolism of fat in the liver and is usually included in the vitamin B complex

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Recent Examples of choline from the Web

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, copper, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, iron, manganese, thiamin, niacin and choline.

— NBC News, "How I learned to love (or at least tolerate) vegetables," 26 Mar. 2018
Most inventive beer: Dream Reamer, a Belgian gold strong made with ingredients full of naturally occurring Melatonin, B12 vitamins and choline.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Everything you need to know about Ethereal Brewing, a craft brewery in Lexington," 4 Mar. 2018
One of the best sources of protein available, eggs are chock-full of essential nutrients such as vitamins A, D, B12, and choline.

— caroline walder, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Why Eggs Are One of the Best Things You Can Eat," 1 Mar. 2018
Among the more than two dozen ingredients in the kangaroo formula: biotin, choline, inositol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine and selenium.

— serena solomon, New York Times, "Saving Koalas, and Other Marsupials, With Milk Almost as Good as Mom’s," 24 Feb. 2018
The yolk also contains choline, another essential nutrient with a wide range of roles relating to metabolism.

— alexa tucker, SELF, "Here's What Oprah Eats in a Day," 11 Jan. 2018
Raw eggs are slightly higher in B vitamins (like vitamin B6 and folate), vitamin E, the mineral choline, and the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

— marygrace taylor, Fox News, "Are raw eggs safe to eat — and do they have more nutrients?," 12 July 2017
Nutrients (especially choline, folic acid, zinc, iron and special fats like omega-3 DHA) actually can modify gene structure and expression, effecting brain growth and development.

— by michael roizen, m.d., and mehmet oz, m.d., idahostatesman, "Nutrition and human interaction give baby a brain-boost," 26 May 2017
Egg yolks are also the most concentrated source of choline, an under-consumed, essential nutrient important to brain health. 4.

— NBC News, "5 Worst Diet Tips (and What to Do Instead)," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'choline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of choline

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1871

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

choline

noun cho·line \ ˈkō-ˌlēn \

medical Definition of choline

: a basic compound C₅H₁₄NO that is found in various foods (as egg yolk and legumes) or is synthesized in the liver and that is a component of lecithin, is a precursor of acetylcholine, and is essential to liver function