heparin

American  

[hep-uh-rin] / ˈhɛp ə rɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a polysaccharide, occurring in various tissues, especially the liver, and having anticoagulent properties.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, obtained from the liver and lungs of domesticated food animals, that when injected into the blood prevents coagulation: used chiefly in the treatment of thrombosis.

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heparin British  

/ ˈhɛpərɪn /

noun

1. a polysaccharide, containing sulphate groups, present in most body tissues: an anticoagulant used in the treatment of thrombosis

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heparin Scientific  

/ hĕp′ər-ĭn /

1. An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue that prevents the clotting of blood and is used intravenously in the treatment of thrombosis and embolism.

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Other Word Forms

• heparinoid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of heparin

1915–20; < Greek hêpar the liver + -in ²

Example Sentences

He later founded APP Pharmaceuticals, a maker of blood thinner heparin, and Abraxis BioScience, where he created breakthrough chemotherapy drug Abraxane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

It delivers a shot of adrenaline, while a snakebite pen could inject heparin.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The researchers were able to dissolve them by altering sodium chloride levels in the presence of heparin, a naturally occurring anticoagulant.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2025

Other instances of contaminated products from overseas included blood pressure medications suspected of containing a possible carcinogen and deadly batches of heparin, both of which prompted mass recalls.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2023

Make a note — we'll need to run some heparin soon.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick