taurine

1 of 2

adjective

tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrīn 

: of or relating to a bull : bovine

taurine

2 of 2

noun

tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrēn 

: 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

The amino acid complex itself is designed to repair damage and prevent future irritation and redness with three amino acids—taurine, arginine, and glycine—and finding the most effective percentage of each ingredient in the mix took more than 100 rounds of testing to perfect. —Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

When shopping for taurine supplements, read product labels carefully and avoid supplements that contain ingredients that may not be safe for you. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Energy drinks with caffeine may also have other ingredients like taurine, guarana, ginseng and L-carnitine. —Dr. Mark Corkins, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025

Check labels for caffeine, guarana, yerba mate, or taurine. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 19 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for taurine

• chlorin
• doron
• florin
• foreign
• goran
• laurin
• morin
• leucovorin

Medical Definition

taurine

noun

tau·​rine ˈtȯ-ˌrēn 

: 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)