international unit

American  

noun

Pharmacology.

1. 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.

2. the particular quantity of such a substance, which causes a specific biological effect. IU

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international unit Scientific  

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

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Etymology

Origin of international unit

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Delta said its domestic and international unit revenue is growing in the mid-single digits from last year, though its capacity growth had been affected by winter storms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

That's a natural midfielder, a Motherwell centre-half and a previously uncapped 33-year-old Aberdeen defender forming a solid international unit almost overnight.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2020

John Harris, chief executive of Raytheon’s international unit, told The Associated Press that the company, whose U.K. roots go back 100 years, sees opportunities for growth even as Britain’s negotiations with the bloc drag on.

From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2018

Weeks earlier, he had interviewed Tim Throsby, president of the international unit of Barclays, at a company event in New York, said people who were there.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2017

They have brought to light the fact that no human or social unit short of the international unit of the whole race can adequately deal with the resources of the planet.

From The Complex Vision by Powys, John Cowper