histamine

noun

his·​ta·​mine ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn  -mən 

: a compound C₅H₉N₃ especially of mammalian tissues that causes dilation of capillaries, contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion, that is released during allergic reactions, and that is formed by decarboxylation of histidine

Examples of histamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When exposed, the body produces an antibody known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which binds to the allergen and triggers immune cells to release histamine and other chemicals. —New Atlas, 3 July 2025

Cetirizine and levocetirizine are antihistamines that block histamines released by the body during allergic reactions. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

And that then triggers these cells, called the mast cells, to release all these inflammatory mediators, like histamine and other kinds of mediators, like nutrients, which can have kind of profound effects. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

Opioids cause the body to release histamine, which can trigger allergic reactions ranging from mild rashes to more severe symptoms. —Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary hist- + amine

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for histamine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

histamine

noun

his·​ta·​mine ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn 

-mən

: a compound that occurs in many animal tissues and plays an important part in allergic reactions (as in hives, asthma, and hay fever)

Medical Definition

histamine

noun

his·​ta·​mine ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn  -mən 

: a compound C₅H₉N₃ especially of mammalian tissues that causes dilatation of capillaries, contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion, that is released during allergic reactions, and that is formed by decarboxylation of histidine

histaminic

ˌhis-tə-ˈmin-ik 

adjective