adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdre-nə-lən 

: epinephrine

Note: Adrenaline is used in both technical and nontechnical contexts. It is commonly used in describing the physiological symptoms (such as increased heart rate and respiration) that occur as part of the body's fight-or-flight response to stress, as when someone is in a dangerous, frightening, or highly competitive situation, as well as the feelings of heightened energy, excitement, strength, and alertness associated with those symptoms. In figurative use, it suggests a drug that provides something with a jolt of useful energy and stimulation.

He felt a rush of adrenaline as he parachuted from the airplane.

The fans were jubilant, raucous, their adrenaline running high.

—W. P. Kinsella

My reputation was as a single-day racer; show me the start line and I would win on adrenaline and anger, chopping off my competitors one by one.

—Lance Armstrong

London's summer antiques scene has been given a massive injection of adrenaline.

—Town and Country

Examples of adrenaline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 49ers could get a shot of adrenaline in the form of running back Christian McCaffrey, who is coming back from Achilles tendinitis in both feet and was limited in practice for the third time this week. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Wading into an icy loch for a brisk swim and burst of adrenaline. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Singing a show takes a lot of energy, which results in a fair bit of adrenaline; going straight to sleep after a performance would be virtually impossible. —Shivani Vora, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Quieting your mind stimulates the part of your brain that dampens the surges of adrenaline and cortisol accompanying stress. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adrenal entry 2 + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

—recognized by the British Pharmaceutical Codex as the preferred name for epinephrine in Great Britain