insulin

American  

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

noun

• insulins
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• insulins
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of insulin

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

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Explanation

Insulin is a hormone in your body that lowers the amount of glucose in your blood. People with diabetes sometimes need an insulin supplement to help regulate their blood sugar. Your pancreas creates insulin, which allows your body to convert sugars from food into energy. You need insulin in order for that bowl of spaghetti to help fuel the 10K you're running later. Diabetes makes it hard (or impossible) for the body to generate insulin, and access to prescription insulin is essential for a diabetic person to stay alive. The Latin root of insulin means "island," referring to the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, which secrete the hormone.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

insulin insulins

Beyond weight loss, intermittent fasting is often held up as a path to better health — from sharper mental clarity and improved insulin sensitivity to a longer life and cellular repair.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

The scientists then measured blood glucose levels and several hormones involved in blood sugar regulation, including insulin, glucagon, GIP, and GLP-1.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

A diabetic, the 65-year-old said he couldn’t afford insulin and the local clinic rarely has syringes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Center fielder Garrett Mitchell, who went to Orange Lutheran and UCLA, has overcome Type 1 diabetes while needing an insulin pump.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

"You know how come. She had diabetes. She went into a insulin shock."

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson

The Food and Drug Administration approval in 2021 of two biosimilar insulins prompted manufacturers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk to slash prices and offer bigger patient discounts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025

Civica said it would be manufacturing the three insulins most commonly used by U.S. citizens.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2023

Novo also will drop the list price of unbranded products like Insulin Aspart to match the lower price of the branded insulins.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 14, 2023

Novo Nordisk said its price cuts would also apply to NovoLog injection pens, long-acting Levemir, intermediate-acting Novolin and several generic insulins.

From New York Times ● Mar. 14, 2023

Eli Lilly will cut prices for some older insulins later this year and immediately give more patients access to a cap on costs they pay to fill prescriptions.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 1, 2023

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