adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdre-nə-lən 

: epinephrine

Note: Adrenaline is used in both technical and nontechnical contexts. It is commonly used in describing the physiological symptoms (such as increased heart rate and respiration) that occur as part of the body's fight-or-flight response to stress, as when someone is in a dangerous, frightening, or highly competitive situation, as well as the feelings of heightened energy, excitement, strength, and alertness associated with those symptoms. In figurative use, it suggests a drug that provides something with a jolt of useful energy and stimulation.

He felt a rush of adrenaline as he parachuted from the airplane.

The fans were jubilant, raucous, their adrenaline running high.

—W. P. Kinsella

My reputation was as a single-day racer; show me the start line and I would win on adrenaline and anger, chopping off my competitors one by one.

—Lance Armstrong

London's summer antiques scene has been given a massive injection of adrenaline.

—Town and Country

Examples of adrenaline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Usually, sitting close to the action means dodging wayward balls and soaking up the adrenaline of live play. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Its opening installments even find a way to cram in some exposition amid all the terror and mayhem, but by the end of the season, the ceaseless adrenaline and motion of the plot are something to behold. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025

Both gigs offer a sense of adventure and a taste of adrenaline that Rennie craves – as does daughter Isla, who loves hopping on her dad’s board with him; some dads do dance steps with their daughters on their feet, Rennie will ride pools with her on a skateboard. —Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2025

Cena carried him back to the ring but Rhodes used the time to get one more burst of adrenaline. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

adrenal entry 2 + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adrenaline

• adrenalin
• isoprenaline
• noradrenalin
• noradrenaline

Kids Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

—recognized by the British Pharmaceutical Codex as the preferred name for epinephrine in Great Britain