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

Etymology

Origin of insulin

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

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

As diabetes progresses, however, beta cells increasingly struggle to meet the body's demand for insulin.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

Jurors were told she had sought alternatives to her insulin medication because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

The treated mice also showed improved glucose and insulin tolerance.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

Some peptides, like insulin or GLP-1, are well-studied and the risks and benefits of lab-created versions well-understood.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

I couldn’t even imagine how the rickety insulin bucket might be faring.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Patients will pay more for California’s generic than for similar insulins already on the market.

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