adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdre-nə-lən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)
: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But the idea is for the Clippers to benefit from the adrenaline of a true homecourt advantage. Shane Young, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Still buzzing from all this adrenaline, thousands of Ducks fans rushed the field afterwards, celebrating one of the program’s biggest wins. Issy Ronald and Jacob Lev, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024 Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 20 Sep. 2024 The day’s adrenaline isn’t finished when McEastland teams up with professional athlete and Bronco Ambassador, Rodolfo Rojas. Outside Online, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adrenaline 

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenaline was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near adrenaline

Cite this Entry

“Adrenaline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenaline. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

adrenaline

noun
adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)

Medical Definition

adrenaline

noun
adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)
: epinephrine
recognized by the British Pharmaceutical Codex as the preferred name for epinephrine in Great Britain

More from Merriam-Webster on adrenaline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!