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

For years, the standard treatment has involved avoiding foods that come from cows, pigs and lambs while carrying an epinephrine injector in case of medical emergency. —Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

For years, the standard treatment has involved avoiding foods that come from cows, pigs and lambs while carrying an epinephrine injector in case of medical emergency. —Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 13 June 2026

Avoid triggers, but carry an epinephrine pen for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis for when triggers are unavoidable or unknown. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 12 June 2026

This includes supplements, inhalers, and epinephrine injectors. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

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

• acetylene
• adamantine
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• apoprotein
• aquamarine
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• catecholamine
• chlorobenzene

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