creatine

noun cre·a·tine \ ˈkrē-ə-ˌtēn , -tᵊn \

Updated on: 23 Mar 2018

Definition of creatine

: a white crystalline nitrogenous substance C₄H₉N₃O₂ found especially in the muscles of vertebrates either free or as phosphocreatine; also : a synthetic usually hydrated form of creatine taken especially as a dietary supplement

Recent Examples of creatine from the Web

He was not released until his levels of CPK -- creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme that leaks into the blood when muscle tissue is damaged -- were normal.

— daniella emanuel, CNN, "Why intense workouts are leading to a life-threatening condition," 9 Mar. 2018
My blood during that window is teeming with creatine and potassium.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "New Blueprint for Athletes service reveals fitness truths at the cellular level: Stretching Out," 6 Feb. 2018
For example, anything with caffeine, such as caffeinated soda and coffee, sports products such as bars, gels and sports drinks, along with creatine, guarana, root and taurine are banned.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pewaukee middle, high school students enjoying new mountain biking program," 29 Sep. 2017
Doctors measure kidney function by testing blood and urine for creatine, a waste product generated by normal muscle breakdown.

— jayme deerwester, USA TODAY, "How Selena Gomez's lupus led to a kidney transplant," 14 Sep. 2017
And, as mentioned, avoid supplements like creatine, which will increase DHT production and thus accelerate loss.

— adam hurly, GQ, "How to Know If You Will Go Bald," 22 June 2017
The products include biological molecules such as coenzyme Q10, creatine, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, gingko, kava, milk thistle and many more.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "71% of Americans take dietary supplements, but do we need to?," 5 May 2017
These behaviors include smoking, creatine supplements, resistance and weight training exercise, stress, and taking anabolic steroids or testosterone hormone replacement.

— adam hurly, GQ, "How to Know If You Will Go Bald," 22 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of creatine

French créatine, from Greek kreat-, kreas flesh — more at raw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1840

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

creatine

noun cre·atine \ ˈkrē-ə-ˌtēn, -ət-ᵊn \

medical Definition of creatine

: a white crystalline nitrogenous substance C₄H₉N₃O₂ found especially in vertebrate muscle either free or as phosphocreatine

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