insulin

American  

[in-suh-lin, ins-yuh-] / ˈɪn sə lɪn, ˈɪns yə- /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, that regulates the metabolism of glucose and other nutrients.

2. Pharmacology. any of several commercial preparations of this substance, each of which allows a particular rate of absorption into the system: genetically engineered or obtained from the pig or ox pancreas, and used in the treatment of diabetes to restore the normal ability of the body to utilize sugars and other carbohydrates.

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insulin British  

/ ˈɪnsjʊlɪn /

noun

1. a protein hormone, secreted in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood. Insulin deficiency results in diabetes mellitus

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insulin Scientific  

/ ĭn′sə-lĭn /

1. A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood by stimulating cells, especially liver and muscle cells, to absorb and metabolize glucose. Insulin also stimulates the conversion of blood glucose into glycogen and fat, which are the body's chief sources of stored carbohydrates.

2. A drug containing this hormone, obtained from the pancreas of animals or produced synthetically and used to treat diabetes.

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insulin Cultural  

1. A hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the levels of sugar in the blood.

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Discover More

Persons suffering from diabetes mellitus may receive periodic or daily injections of insulin as a treatment for the disease.

Etymology

Origin of insulin

First recorded in 1910–15; insul(a) + -in ²

Example Sentences

High-risk diabetes included people who had the condition for at least 10 years, required daily insulin, or had diabetes-related small blood vessel damage.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

One of the biggest obstacles for oral insulin has been the need for extremely high doses, sometimes more than ten times higher than injections.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

The FTC accused pharmacy-benefit managers, including CVS’s Caremark, of artificially inflating insulin prices; Caremark denied wrongdoing.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

"They've given me the medicines and insulin I need for the health of baby and the placenta."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

She put the dozen or so bottles of insulin that Rahel brought her in the cheese and butter compartment.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy