diuretic

American  

[dahy-uh-ret-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈrɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. increasing the volume of the urine excreted, as by a medicinal substance.

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noun

1. a diuretic medicine or agent.

diuretic British  

/ ˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk /

adjective

1. acting to increase the flow of urine

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noun

1. a drug or agent that increases the flow of urine

diuretic Scientific  

/ dī′ə-rĕt′ĭk /

1. A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine. Diuretics are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, edema, and other medical conditions.

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diuretic Cultural  

1. A substance that increases the rate of urine production.

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Other Word Forms

• diuretically adverb
• diureticalness noun
• undiuretic adjective

Etymology

Origin of diuretic

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English d(i)uretik, from Late Latin diūrēticus, from Greek diourētikós, from di- di- ³ + ourē- (verb stem of oureîn “to urinate”; uro- ¹ ( def. ) ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

Marcus added that "caffeine is also a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and in turn lessen AFib risk. Several other ingredients in coffee also have anti-inflammatory properties that could have positive effects."

From Science Daily • Nov. 10, 2025

Though caffeine is a diuretic, consuming up to 400 mg of it daily can actually help with hydration, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ King.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

The plant contains dozens of bioactive chemical compounds and is used throughout Southeast Asia and China as a painkiller, fever reducer, and diuretic.

From Science Magazine • May 1, 2024

Finally, coffee has a mild diuretic effect, which can lead to temporary water weight loss.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2023

Aureliano Segundo submitted secretly to the burning baths of permanganate and to diuretic waters, and both were cured separately after three months of secret suffering.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez