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

Examples of histamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These headaches seem to be linked to the sudden release of histamine or serotonin in the body. — Korin Miller, SELF, 14 July 2022 Magnesium also helps with the production of histamine. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 June 2022 It’s the histamine that causes the itch and the swollen blotches. — New York Times, 9 May 2022 Antihistamines are medications that block the release of histamine, the compound your body produces that’s responsible for your allergy symptoms, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. — Korin Miller, SELF, 25 Jan. 2022 This is because, in response to an allergy trigger, your immune system’s mast cells release histamine, a chemical that can cause itching along with other allergy symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. — Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 4 Nov. 2021 These drugs work by blocking histamine, the chemical produced by the immune system during an allergic reaction. — Ashley Abramson, Health.com, 7 Sep. 2021 When your eyes are exposed to an allergy-causing substance, this causes your body to release a substance called histamine. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, 29 Apr. 2021 The thinking here, Dr. Tracey said, was that famotidine, as a histamine receptor blocker, is structured in a way that could prevent the coronavirus from replicating. — Amber Brenza, Health.com, 5 Oct. 2020 See More

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.

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Last Updated

19 Jul 2022

Cite this Entry

“Histamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/histamine. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for histamine

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