histamine

noun his·ta·mine \ ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn , -mən \

Definition of histamine

: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

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Recent Examples of histamine from the Web

Your body may respond by producing chemicals called histamines, prompting an allergic reaction.

— laura semko, SELF, "How to Tell If You're Lactose Intolerant or If It's Something Else," 24 July 2017
H2 blockers stop the action of histamine, which stimulates parietal cells to produce hydrochloric acid.

— bradley j. fikes, chicagotribune.com, "Popular stomach acid blockers linked to higher death rates," 3 July 2017
The team compared people who took proton-pump inhibitors with those who took another type of drug that reduces stomach acid: histamine H2 receptor antagonists, known as H2 blockers.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Heartburn drugs tied to increased risk of early death, study says," 3 July 2017
H2 blockers stop the action of histamine, which stimulates parietal cells to produce hydrochloric acid.

— bradley j. fikes, The Seattle Times, "Popular stomach acid blockers linked to higher death rates," 3 July 2017
H2 blockers stop the action of histamine, which stimulates parietal cells to produce hydrochloric acid.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Popular stomach acid blockers linked to higher death rates," 3 July 2017
The healthier your immune system, the more equipped your body is to battle histamines.

— natalie parish, star-telegram.com, "Meteorologists predict worsening allergies," 8 May 2017
Once the Simon Fraser University research team added histamine to their traps, everything changed.

— gwen pearson, WIRED, "Building a Better Bed Bug Trap," 29 Dec. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'histamine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of histamine

International Scientific Vocabulary hist- + amine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1913

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HISTAMINE Defined for English Language Learners

histamine

noun

Definition of histamine for English Language Learners

medical : a chemical substance in the body that causes the symptoms that people experience when they are allergic to something

Medical Dictionary

histamine

noun his·ta·mine \ ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn , -mən \

medical Definition of histamine

: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

play \ˌhis-tə-ˈmin-ik\ adjective

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histamine

Definition of histamine

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histamine

Definition of histamine for English Language Learners

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histamine

medical Definition of histamine

histaminic

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