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international unit
noun
: a quantity of a biologically active substance (such as a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect agreed upon as an international standard
Examples of international unit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One small study of children with ADHD without magnesium deficiency evaluated the effects of 6 mg per kilogram (kg) of magnesium daily with vitamin D 50,000 international units (IU) a week for eight weeks on ADHD symptoms.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 11 Sep. 2024
Under his leadership, A-State restructured its international unit, which has yielded dividends.
—Ryan Anderson, arkansasonline.com, 5 Sep. 2024
In one study, participants who took 800 international units (IU) of vitamin E reported a decrease of one hot flash per day.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Aug. 2024
The Dutch–German division is part of the regular Bundeswehr, not a separate international unit.
—Elisabeth Braw, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2016
See all Example Sentences for international unit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'international unit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of international unit was
in 1921
Dictionary Entries Near international unit
Cite this Entry
“International unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/international%20unit. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
international unit
noun
: the amount of specific physiological activity of a standardized preparation (as of a vitamin) that is agreed upon as an international standard especially for comparison with other biologicals containing the substance in impure form or with a related biologically active substance
also
: the amount of the biologically active substance in the standard amount of the preparation producing this activity
More from Merriam-Webster on international unit
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about international unit
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