: a form of diabetes mellitus that usually develops during childhood or adolescence and is characterized by a severe deficiency in insulin secretion resulting from atrophy of the islets of Langerhans and causing hyperglycemia and a marked tendency toward ketoacidosis

called also insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, type 1 diabetes mellitus

Examples of type 1 diabetes in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This also rings true for the physical and mental toll type 1 diabetes takes, not just on the person diagnosed, but on the entire family. — Nick Jonas, Time, 5 Nov. 2026 Larger amounts of fat and protein may also contribute to a later rise, especially in people with type 1 diabetes. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2026 When Ella was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age five, the endocrinologist taught Grace and Graziella to recognize the clinical signs of dangerously high and low blood sugar. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Certain groups should not fast at all, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and teenagers, people with type 1 diabetes and anyone with a history of eating disorders. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for type 1 diabetes

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of type 1 diabetes was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Type 1 diabetes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/type%201%20diabetes. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Medical Definition

: diabetes of a form that usually develops during childhood or adolescence and is characterized by a severe deficiency of insulin secretion resulting from atrophy of the islets of Langerhans and causing hyperglycemia and a marked tendency toward ketoacidosis

called also insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, juvenile diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetes, type 1 diabetes mellitus

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