metformin

noun

met·​for·​min met-ˈfȯr-mən 

: a drug used in the form of its hydrochloride C₄H₁₁N₅·HCl especially to treat type 2 diabetes

Examples of metformin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a 2025 randomized trial of 100 overweight and obese women with PMOS and irregular menstrual cycles, adding semaglutide to metformin for 16 weeks restored their cycles in 73% of participants, compared with 42% on only metformin. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

In the last 11 years since her diagnosis, she’s been prescribed birth control and metformin. — Anissa Durham, STAT, 28 July 2026

But comparing patients on GLP-1 drugs with patients taking the diabetes drug metformin showed no clear reduction in cancer risk. — Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

In addition to treating diabetes, metformin can support weight loss, help manage the insulin resistance associated with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), and may benefit heart health. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

methyl + -formin (as in phenformin, an earlier antidiabetic drug)

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metformin

• longshoreman
• longshoremen
• corpsman
• corpsmen
• foreman
• foremen
• mormon
• warman

Medical Definition

metformin

noun

met·​for·​min met-ˈfȯr-mən 

: an antidiabetic drug used in the form of its hydrochloride C₄H₁₁N₅·HCl especially to treat type 2 diabetes in patients unresponsive to or intolerant of approved sulfonylurea drugs

Note: Trademarks for preparations containing metformin include Glucophage, Glucovance, Invokamet, Janumet, Jentadueto, and Kombiglyze.