taurine

1 of 2

adjective

tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrīn How to pronounce taurine (audio)
: of or relating to a bull : bovine

taurine

2 of 2

noun

tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrēn How to pronounce taurine (audio)
: a crystalline acid C2H7NO3S that is synthesized in the body from cysteine and methionine, is similar to amino acids but is not a component of proteins, and is involved in various physiological functions (such as bile acid conjugation and cell membrane stabilization)

Examples of taurine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
To figure that out will take a large, years-long, very expensive clinical trial giving some people taurine and others a placebo. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023 To examine this, researchers measured the biological mechanisms behind aging—such as memory, organ strength, and inflammation—to determine how taurine supplementation affects overall health. Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 9 June 2023 Because taurine levels decline with age, humans may need to turn to other taurine-rich sources. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 8 June 2023 Like other molecules of interest, including metformin, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and rapamycin, large-scale studies are lacking to support taurine supplementation. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023 Turning to humans, Yadav and colleagues analyzed taurine blood level data from nearly 12,000 people enrolled in a 25-year U.K. health study. Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 June 2023
Noun
Hackers Say Taurine While taurine is recognized as a powerful antioxidant, there is limited research demonstrating its ability to delay aging, especially in humans. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Other creatine supplements on the market may, however, contain additional ingredients meant to enhance exercise performance, such as the amino acids glutamine and taurine. Tamar Kane, Ms, Verywell Health, 25 Jan. 2024 Crafted with a natural formula containing taurine, acetyl-L-carnitine, dandelion extract, Hawthorne berry extract, bilberry extract, egg albumin, and coenzyme Q10, these chews are designed to nourish your aging canine's heart health. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 The animals who are supplemented with taurine seem to have less of. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 12 June 2023 Foods high in taurine While the human body can make small amounts of taurine, an amino acid, people mostly get it through food. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 8 June 2023 Levels of taurine decrease naturally as humans age. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Popular Science, 8 June 2023 This taurine powder is expertly crafted to help your pet's heart continue to pump strong for years to come. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 Exercise may boost taurine In another intriguing finding, the researchers discovered an association between the amount people exercise and their taurine levels. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 8 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taurine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin taurinus, from taurus bull; akin to Greek tauros bull, Middle Irish tarb

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin taurus; from its having been discovered in ox bile

First Known Use

Adjective

1613, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taurine was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near taurine

Cite this Entry

“Taurine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taurine. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

taurine

noun
tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrēn How to pronounce taurine (audio)
: a colorless crystalline acid C2H7NO3S that is synthesized in the body from cysteine and methionine, is similar to amino acids but is not a component of proteins, and is involved in various physiological functions (as bile acid conjugation and cell membrane stabilization)

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