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international unit
noun
, Pharmacology.
- an internationally agreed upon standard, as measured by bioassay, to which samples of a substance, as a drug or hormone, are compared to ascertain their relative potency.
- the particular quantity of such a substance, which causes a specific biological effect. : IU
international unit
- A unit for measuring a biologically active substance, such as a hormone or vitamin.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of international unit1
First recorded in 1920–25
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