diabetes

American  

[dahy-uh-bee-tis, -teez] / ˌdaɪ əˈbi tɪs, -tiz /

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several disorders characterized by increased urine production.

2. Also called diabetes mellitus.  a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, usually occurring in genetically predisposed individuals, characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin and resulting in excessive amounts of glucose in the blood and urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, and in some cases progressive destruction of small blood vessels leading to such complications as infections and gangrene of the limbs or blindness.

3. type 1 diabetes.

4. type 2 diabetes.

5. Also called diabetes insipidus.  increased urine production caused by inadequate secretion of vasopressin by the pituitary gland.

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diabetes British  

/ -tiːz, ˌdaɪəˈbiːtɪs /

noun

1. any of various disorders, esp diabetes mellitus, characterized by excretion of an abnormally large amount of urine

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Etymology

Origin of diabetes

First recorded in 1555–65; from New Latin, Latin, from Greek, equivalent to diabē- (variant stem of diabaínein “to go through, pass over,” equivalent to dia- “through” + baínein “to pass”) + -tēs agent suffix; dia-

Explanation

When a person has the medical condition called diabetes, the body can’t produce enough insulin to process the glucose in the blood. Diabetes has been known since the first century B.C.E., when a Greek physician, Aretus the Cappadocian, named it diabainein, meaning "a siphon," referring to the excessive urination associated with the disease. The word diabetes was first recorded in 1425, and in 1675, the Greek mellitus, “like honey,” was added, to reflect the sweet smell and taste of the patient’s urine. An unrelated and rare disorder, diabetes insipidus, is usually caused by a hormone deficiency.

Example Sentences

Researchers also considered other factors that might influence memory, including physical activity, social engagement, depression scores, diabetes, and other health conditions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Previous research had already shown that PAM variants are more common in people with diabetes and can impair insulin release from the pancreas.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Spending for diabetes drug Farxiga—for which the U.S. last week approved the first generic versions—has probably been shifted to support pre-launch activities for baxdrostat, UBS says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Novo was the first company to bring to market a GLP-1 for weight loss in 2021, but Lilly’s medicine is now the world’s top-selling drug, taking into account sales for diabetes and weight loss.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Insulin injections encouraged Woolf to gain weight, and to manage his diabetes he needed to consume regular, high- protein, low-carbohydrate meals—meats were recommended—which also added pounds.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand