plural tirzepatides
: a drug C225H348N48O68 that selectively binds to and activates cell receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide acting to stimulate insulin secretion, decrease glucagon secretion, and delay gastric emptying and that is administered by injection for the management of type 2 diabetes or for the promotion of weight loss in obese patients or in overweight patients with a comorbidity
tirzepatide and semaglutide work similarly to reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control, but differ in their hormone targets, weight-loss results, and dosing. … Tirzepatide works on more than one appetite-related pathway, which may explain why it leads to greater weight loss for some people.Kweli I. Wright

Note: Tirzepatide is marketed under the trademarks Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Word History

Etymology

tirzepa- (of undetermined origin) + (pep)tide

First Known Use

2018, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tirzepatide was in 2018

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tirzepatide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tirzepatide. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Medical Definition

tirzepatide

noun
: a drug C225H348N48O68 that selectively binds to and activates cell receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide acting to stimulate insulin secretion, decrease glucagon secretion, and delay gastric emptying and that is administered by injection for the management of type 2 diabetes or for the promotion of weight loss in obese patients or in overweight patients with a comorbidity

Note: Tirzepatide is marketed under the trademarks Mounjaro and Zepbound.

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