adrenaline

American  

[uh-dren-l-in, -een] / əˈdrɛn l ɪn, -ˌin /

noun

1. Biochemistry. epinephrine.

2. the feeling of excitement, alertness, and intensity caused by the release of epinephrine in the body.

   For adventure seekers, there are ungroomed, off-piste routes with deep snow offering lots and lots of adrenaline.

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adrenaline British  

/ əˈdrɛnəlɪn /

noun

1. US name: epinephrine.  a hormone that is secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress and increases heart rate, pulse rate, and blood pressure, and raises the blood levels of glucose and lipids. It is extracted from animals or synthesized for such medical uses as the treatment of asthma. Chemical name: aminohydroxyphenylpropionic acid; formula: C 9 H 13 NO 3

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adrenaline Scientific  

/ ə-drĕn′ə-lĭn /

1. See epinephrine

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adrenaline Cultural  

1. A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that helps the body meet physical or emotional stress (see endocrine system).

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Discover More

Figuratively, the term adrenaline is used in speaking of a high state of excitement: “When the race began, the adrenaline really started pumping.”

Adrenaline plays a very large role in the fight or flight reaction, which refers to the various processes that occur within the body when it is confronted with some form of mental or physical stress.

Etymology

Origin of adrenaline

First recorded in 1900–05; adrenal + -ine ¹

Compare meaning

How does adrenaline compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• epinephrine vs. adrenaline
• noradrenaline vs. adrenaline

Explanation

If you've ever been in a car that screeched to a stop, barely avoiding an accident, you probably felt a surge of adrenaline that left your heart pounding. Adrenaline is a hormone that's released in response to stressful situations. Adrenaline was named after the gland in the human body that releases it, the adrenal gland. The body secretes adrenaline when danger or stress is present, as a kind of safety measure; when adrenaline is released in your body, you feel your heart beat faster and a sudden rush of energy which might give you the strength to fight off an attacker or flee a dangerous animal.

Example Sentences

A wide river of cropped hair, crisp T-shirts, and adrenaline stretching almost 500 feet to Herndon, where they’re held back by an invisible dam about to burst.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

When I reached John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s story, a switch went off within me — that jolt of adrenaline and inspiration you pray to stumble upon as a writer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

The downside is you might be a bit groggy, but the adrenaline rush should take over so you enjoy it, although you "might struggle to then fall back asleep", says Revell.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

Mr. Hernández has a febrile energy that finds him bounding around the stage with a convincingly youthful, manic intensity, as if new love has pushed his adrenaline into overdrive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

When I lost enough adrenaline to notice the way her cheeks held shadows but her eyes were clear, one thought jumped into my head.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline