histamine
noun
his·ta·mine
ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn 
-mən
-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
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
Common causes of food intolerances include lactose, gluten, histamine, FODMAPs, and natural and synthetic food chemicals.
—Corinne Savides Happel, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
Some next-level treatments include over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antacids, foaming agents, histamine (H2) blockers or protein pump inhibitors.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for histamine
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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
Common causes of food intolerances include lactose, gluten, histamine, FODMAPs, and natural and synthetic food chemicals.
—Corinne Savides Happel, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
Some next-level treatments include over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antacids, foaming agents, histamine (H2) blockers or protein pump inhibitors.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for histamine
Cite this Entry
“Histamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/histamine. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
-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
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