epinephrine

noun

epi·​neph·​rine ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən 

variants or less commonly epinephrin

: a crystalline sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure raising hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions

called also adrenaline

Examples of epinephrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If your healthcare provider has not told you otherwise, plan to go to the emergency room after using an epinephrine auto-injector that is prescribed to you. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 5 May 2025

Tyrosine is also a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, all of which partly contribute to the body’s fight-or-flight response. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

At the moment, managing food allergies mostly comes down to strict avoidance and carrying emergency medication like epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) or antihistamines. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025

Avoiding garlic and having an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) for emergencies are possible treatments. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary epi- + Greek nephros kidney — more at nephritis

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epinephrine

• norepinephrine

Kids Definition

epinephrine

noun

ep·​i·​neph·​rine

ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən

: a hormone of the adrenal gland acting especially on smooth muscle, causing narrowing of blood vessels, and raising blood pressure

called also adrenaline

Medical Definition

epinephrine

noun

epi·​neph·​rine

variants also epinephrin

ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən 

: a colorless crystalline sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure-raising hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions

called also adrenaline