betaine

noun

be·​ta·​ine ˈbē-tə-ˌēn How to pronounce betaine (audio)
: a sweet crystalline quaternary ammonium salt C5H11NO2 obtained especially from sugar beets
also : its hydrate or its hydrochloride

Examples of betaine 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.
Lauramidopropyl betaine, a surfactant that behaves like soap, was the best option. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 17 June 2020 Beets are an excellent source of betaine, a nutrient that has potential to help fight inflammation, improve vascular risk factors and enhance performance [1]. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2017 Most products contain beta-alanine, an amino acid shown to regulate acidity, as well as betaine and creatine monohydrate. Dallas News, 15 Feb. 2022 Each serving is packed with betaine, L-glycine, taurine, caffeine, and creatine. The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Oct. 2022 More betaine in breast milk was associated with more Akkerrmansia in the babies’ fecal samples at 12 months of age. Jennifer Couzin-Frankel, Science | AAAS, 31 Mar. 2021 One stood out: betaine, which was linked to that unwanted growth when levels were low. Jennifer Couzin-Frankel, Science | AAAS, 31 Mar. 2021 Follow with lukewarm water and a dime-size amount of cleanser (look for the ingredients cocamidopropyl betaine or caprylic triglyceride, which are sulfate-free surfactants) on your fingers or a clean, damp washcloth. Chelsea Hall, Marie Claire, 8 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin beta beet

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of betaine was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near betaine

Cite this Entry

“Betaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betaine. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

betaine

noun
be·​ta·​ine ˈbēt-ə-ˌēn How to pronounce betaine (audio)
: a sweet crystalline quaternary ammonium salt C5H11NO2 that was first isolated in beet juice and is used to treat homocystinuria and is also used in the form of its hydrochloride C5H11NO2·HCl as a source of hydrochloric acid especially to treat hypochlorhydria

More from Merriam-Webster on betaine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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