insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a protein pancreatic hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans that is essential especially for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood and that when insufficiently produced results in diabetes mellitus

Examples of insulin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also related to politics, Hamm backed the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a bill that sought to cap patients’ out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

The gala will raise critical funds to support research aimed at curing, preventing and treating T1D, a lifelong autoimmune disease that requires careful monitoring and insulin injections or infusions. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026

Similarly, the keto diet stood out for improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose levels. — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, HEALTH, 28 Sep. 2026

Tirzepatide, on the other hand, works to curb appetite, slow digestion, and improve the insulin response by mimicking hormones in the gut, known as incretins. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin insula islet (of Langerhans), from Latin, island

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing insulin

• insulin-dependent diabetes
• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• insulin-like growth factor
• insulin resistance
• insulin resistance syndrome
• insulin shock
• non-insulin-dependent diabetes
• non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Kids Definition

insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is necessary for the normal use of glucose by the body

Medical Definition

insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a protein hormone that is synthesized in the pancreas from proinsulin and secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into tissues, by promoting its conversion into glycogen, fatty acids, and triglycerides, and by reducing the release of glucose from the liver, and that when produced in insufficient quantities results in diabetes mellitus see iletin