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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
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 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
Noun
Some say that boosting taurine levels can help improve health and extend lifespan, but the research on taurine's anti-aging benefits is thin. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025 More research on longevity Is the nutrient taurine really a key to healthy aging? Linda Carroll, NBC news, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for taurine

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taurine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taurine. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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)

More from Merriam-Webster on taurine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!