adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdre-nə-lən 

: epinephrine

Note: Adrenaline is used in both technical and nontechnical contexts. It is commonly used in describing the physiological symptoms (such as increased heart rate and respiration) that occur as part of the body's fight-or-flight response to stress, as when someone is in a dangerous, frightening, or highly competitive situation, as well as the feelings of heightened energy, excitement, strength, and alertness associated with those symptoms. In figurative use, it suggests a drug that provides something with a jolt of useful energy and stimulation.

He felt a rush of adrenaline as he parachuted from the airplane.

The fans were jubilant, raucous, their adrenaline running high.

—W. P. Kinsella

My reputation was as a single-day racer; show me the start line and I would win on adrenaline and anger, chopping off my competitors one by one.

—Lance Armstrong

London's summer antiques scene has been given a massive injection of adrenaline.

—Town and Country

Examples of adrenaline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yeah, he gets punched in the face, and A Thousand Blows knows how to ride the wave of that adrenaline to short-lived, but palpable, euphoria. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Wearing a sleek black turtleneck, the actress is on a break between industry Q&A panels for her Oscar-contending film, Song Sung Blue, running on what seems to be a campaign adrenaline rush. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026

There’s something about the adrenaline. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Exploring Your New City’s Green Spaces and Adventures Charlotte offers remarkable opportunities for outdoor recreation, from peaceful urban parks to adventure centers that will get your adrenaline going. —Bill Bootz, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

adrenal entry 2 + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adrenaline

• adrenalin
• isoprenaline
• noradrenalin
• noradrenaline

Kids Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

Medical Definition

adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən 

: epinephrine

—recognized by the British Pharmaceutical Codex as the preferred name for epinephrine in Great Britain