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

The recent quarter included a roughly $234 million noncash impairment charge, which the company said was primarily related to a minority investment in its international unit and certain intangible assets in its retail segment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Contreras was apprehended on July 8 in Mexicali, Mexico, by the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana International Unit, working in coordination with the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Returns on equity booked by the international unit which houses Barclays' transatlantic investment bank fell to 10.2% from 14.4% a year earlier, as fees from advising on debt and equity fundraising plunged by almost two-fifths year on year.

From Reuters

The 30-year-old onetime billionaire also said FTX's U.S. wing is "fully solvent" and that its international unit has many billions of dollars in assets.

From Reuters