cotinine
noun
co·tin·ine
ˈkō-tə-ˌnēn 
-ˌnīn
-ˌnīn
: an alkaloid C10H12N2O that is the principal metabolite of nicotine
Examples of cotinine in a Sentence
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Since tobacco use has been associated with higher levels of heavy metals in the body, the researchers also tested the samples for an alkaloid found in tobacco but not cannabis, called cotinine.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Following the treatment period, participants’ smoking behaviour was monitored for four weeks, both by self-reporting and by monitoring urine for cotinine — a product formed when nicotine is broken down in the body.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 23 June 2023
Four compounds—caffeine, nicotine, acetaminophen and cotinine (a chemical produced by the body after exposure to nicotine)—showed up on every continent, including Antarctica.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
By the way, the researchers used measurements of cotinine concentrations to ensure that the mothers had been non-smokers.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
The lab noted positive findings for caffeine, cotinine and Delta-9 carboxy THC.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
According to the report, the amounts of caffeine and cotinine found in his system are not typically toxicologically significant.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cotinine is a compound formed after the chemical nicotine enters the body.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
The study defined tobacco exposure as a child reporting smoking, living with a smoker or having serum cotinine levels, which measures recent exposure to nicotine, greater than 0.05 micrograms per liter.
—Megan Marples, CNN, 25 Feb. 2021
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Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Following the treatment period, participants’ smoking behaviour was monitored for four weeks, both by self-reporting and by monitoring urine for cotinine — a product formed when nicotine is broken down in the body.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 23 June 2023
Four compounds—caffeine, nicotine, acetaminophen and cotinine (a chemical produced by the body after exposure to nicotine)—showed up on every continent, including Antarctica.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
By the way, the researchers used measurements of cotinine concentrations to ensure that the mothers had been non-smokers.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022
The lab noted positive findings for caffeine, cotinine and Delta-9 carboxy THC.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
According to the report, the amounts of caffeine and cotinine found in his system are not typically toxicologically significant.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cotinine is a compound formed after the chemical nicotine enters the body.
—al, 15 Oct. 2021
The study defined tobacco exposure as a child reporting smoking, living with a smoker or having serum cotinine levels, which measures recent exposure to nicotine, greater than 0.05 micrograms per liter.
—Megan Marples, CNN, 25 Feb. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Cotinine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotinine. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cotinine
noun
co·tin·ine
ˈkōt-ᵊn-ˌēn
-ˌīn
-ˌīn
: an alkaloid C10H12N2O that is the principal metabolite of nicotine and is widely used as an indicator of recent exposure to nicotine
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