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

The proposal decreases the amount of vitamin A required in formula, from 250 international units per 100 calories to 233 IU. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

The National Institutes of Health recommends a daily dietary intake of 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D for adults up to 70 years old and 800 IU for adults ages 71 older. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 28 Sep. 2026

The airline expects domestic and international unit revenue to rise 8% to 10% in the first half of fiscal 2027, even as fuel costs are expected to increase. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Prior to Panera, Chaudhary was chief operating officer and president of the international unit of Krispy Kreme. — David Moin, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for international unit

• lunate
• multiunit
• subunit

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