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

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Etymology

Origin of heparin

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heparin

But she was treated with heparin, an anticoagulant derived from intestinal tissue of pigs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

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 team suggested that this effect occurs because increased concentrations of charged ions reduce how strongly tau proteins interact with heparin.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 15, 2025

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

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

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