epinephrine

or ep·i·neph·rin

[ ep-uh-nef-rin, -reen ]

/ ˌɛp əˈnɛf rɪn, -rin /

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noun

Also called adrenaline. Biochemistry. a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla upon stimulation by the central nervous system in response to stress, as anger or fear, and acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Also Trademark, A·dren·al·in

[uh-dren-l-in] /əˈdrɛn l ɪn/ .Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, extracted from the adrenal glands of sheep and cattle, or synthesized: used chiefly as a heart stimulant, to constrict the blood vessels, and to relax the bronchi in asthma.

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Origin of epinephrine

First recorded in 1895–1900; epi- + Greek nephr(ós) kidney + -ine²

Words nearby epinephrine

epimyocardium, epimysium, Épinal, epinaos, epinasty, epinephrine, epineurium, épinglé, epionychium, Epipaleolithic, epipastic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use epinephrine in a sentence

It can effectively lower stress hormones, including cortisol and epinephrine, while boosting endorphins.
How One Olympian Trains His Brain|awise|August 12, 2021|Outside Online
If you find out you are allergic, carry treatment like an epinephrine auto-injector with you in scorpion country.
Everything you need to know about scorpion stings and venom|John Kennedy|July 22, 2021|Popular-Science
Anaphylaxis can be quickly reversed with medicines including epinephrine, which is what was used to treat almost all of the 21 coronavirus vaccine recipients who had severe allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions to the coronavirus vaccine are rare and outweighed by the benefit of protection, CDC finds|William Wan, Joel Achenbach|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
Nineteen of the 21 people were treated with epinephrine and four were hospitalized.
Severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare, CDC says|Aimee Cunningham|January 6, 2021|Science News

Anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening, requires emergency treatment with epinephrine.
Severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare, CDC says|Aimee Cunningham|January 6, 2021|Science News

British Dictionary definitions for epinephrine

epinephrine

epinephrin

/ (ˌɛpɪˈnɛfrɪn, -riːn) /

noun

a US name for adrenaline

Word Origin for epinephrine

C19: from epi- + nephro- + -ine ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for epinephrine

epinephrine

[ ĕp′ə-nĕf′rĭn ]

A hormone that is secreted by the adrenal gland in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear, and is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The release of epinephrine causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Epinephrine also raises glucose levels in the blood for use as fuel when more alertness or greater physical effort is needed. Also called adrenaline. Chemical formula: C9H13NO3.