international unit

noun

: a quantity of a biologically active substance (such as a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect agreed upon as an international standard

Examples of international unit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

BlackRock's international unit is also part of Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative (after the parent company pulled out and transferred the participation earlier this year). —Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024

The international unit reported sales growth of 32% to $4.03 billion in the quarter ended June from a year ago. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024

One small study of children with ADHD without magnesium deficiency evaluated the effects of 6 mg per kilogram (kg) of magnesium daily with vitamin D 50,000 international units (IU) a week for eight weeks on ADHD symptoms. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 11 Sep. 2024

Under his leadership, A-State restructured its international unit, which has yielded dividends. —Ryan Anderson, arkansasonline.com, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

international unit

noun

: the amount of specific physiological activity of a standardized preparation (as of a vitamin) that is agreed upon as an international standard especially for comparison with other biologicals containing the substance in impure form or with a related biologically active substance

also : the amount of the biologically active substance in the standard amount of the preparation producing this activity