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

If a centipede bite triggers anaphylaxis, administer epinephrine with an EpiPen and call 911. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2024

And your blood vessels may not respond normally to norepinephrine or epinephrine. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

This new nasal spray is expected to increase epinephrine access to more people, particularly children. —Emily Nadal, Parents, 15 Aug. 2024

As epinephrine spreads throughout the body, several physiological changes occur. —Finnian Kelly, TIME, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

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