international unit

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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. Abbreviation: IU

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Origin of international unit

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby international unit

International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, International Telecommunications Union, international telegram, international temperature scale, International Union for Conservation of Nature, international unit, International Workingmen's Association, interne, internecine, internee, internegative

How to use international unit in a sentence

First, his credentials: He did international mergers and acquisitions at Lazard, a financial and asset management firm.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Together, they crossed over the International Bridges on foot into Juarez to conduct some business.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Stay in formation,” a sergeant from the ceremonial unit said over a public address system to the cops along the street.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss|Michael Daly|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My father was in an intelligence unit for the U.S. Navy, as he had been in World War II.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

While the world fixated on Ukraine and Syria, a near-genocide ripped through central Africa, to little international fanfare.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In 1883 she served with many distinguished artists on the art jury of the International Exhibition at Amsterdam.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
Of course, the usual international operations for obtaining gold were denied to Germany.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The doctrine of international free trade, albeit the most conspicuous of its applications, was but one case under the general law.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Since the outbreak of the war New York has assumed a position of leadership in international banking.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
As a fighting unit they are on their last legs and when they will be set upon their feet again Lord K. knows.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

Scientific definitions for international unit

international unit

A unit for measuring a biologically active substance, such as a hormone or vitamin.