epinephrine

noun

epi·​neph·​rine ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən 

variants or less commonly epinephrin

: a crystalline sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure raising hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions

called also adrenaline

Examples of epinephrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beta-blockers block the action of epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), a substance produced in the body that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. —Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025

Any one of these injuries might stop a more typical vigilante, but Nathan keeps right on going, stabbing himself with epinephrine as needed to keep from fainting. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025

While the severity of these allergies varies from person to person, Rice's daughter's is serious, exposure to nuts can result in life-threatening anaphylaxis, which only an epinephrine injection can prevent. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

This isn't possible with normal epinephrine, which isn't absorbed in the nose if taken from a vial. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary epi- + Greek nephros kidney — more at nephritis

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epinephrine

• norepinephrine

Kids Definition

epinephrine

noun

ep·​i·​neph·​rine

ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən

: a hormone of the adrenal gland acting especially on smooth muscle, causing narrowing of blood vessels, and raising blood pressure

called also adrenaline

Medical Definition

epinephrine

noun

epi·​neph·​rine

variants also epinephrin

ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən 

: a colorless crystalline sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure-raising hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions

called also adrenaline