theanine

noun

the·​a·​nine ˈthē-ə-ˌnēn How to pronounce theanine (audio)
variants or L-theanine
: an amino acid C7H14N2O3 found especially in green tea and used as a dietary supplement
Green tea, which is rich in a depression-fighting amino acid called theanine, has previously been lauded for its health benefits.Camilla Turner

Examples of theanine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Some supplements, such as melatonin, L-theanine, and tryptophan, may have an additive or synergistic effect on sleep when taken with magnesium. Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 17 June 2026 Common nootropics in mocktails include l-theanine, lion’s mane mushroom, lemon balm and ginkgo biloba. Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 What's more, green tea contains L-theanine, a type of amino acid, per Allen. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 12 May 2026 Each gummy contains a mild blend of melatonin, L-theanine and botanicals to be taken only occasionally when sleep is difficult. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for theanine

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theanine was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Theanine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theanine. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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