insulin definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅su⋅lin

[in-suh-lin, ins-yuh-]

–noun

1.	Biochemistry. a polypeptide hormone, produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, that regulates the metabolism of glucose and other nutrients.

Pharmacology. any of several commercial preparations of this substance, each of which allows a particular rate of absorption into the system: genetically engineered or obtained from the pig or ox pancreas, and used in the treatment of diabetes to restore the normal ability of the body to utilize sugars and other carbohydrates.

Origin:
1910–15; insul(a) + -in ²

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : insulin

Spanish:

insulina,

German:

das Insulin,

Japanese:

インシュリン

View 30 other languages »

Sponsored Links Insulin
Medicare diabetics, join Liberty today. Get a free ACCU-CHEK meter.
www.AccuChekFreeMeter.com/insulin

Insulin Treatment
Learn About Once-Daily Insulin It Could be Right For You
OnceDailyInsulin.com

Insulin - Get The Facts
Register Today To Stay Informed About Insulin & Receive A Free Gift
www.GoInsulin.com

in·su·lin (ĭn'sə-lĭn) Pronunciation Key
n.

A polypeptide hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans and functioning in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level.
Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used in the medical treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (type I).

[New Latin īnsula, island (of Langerhans) (from Latin, island) + -in.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

insulin

1922 (earlier insuline, 1914), coined in Eng. from L. insula "island," so called because the hormone is secreted by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

insulin
noun
hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source

insulin (ĭn'sə-lĭn) Pronunciation Key

A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood by stimulating cells, especially liver and muscle cells, to absorb and metabolize glucose. Insulin also stimulates the conversion of blood glucose into glycogen and fat, which are the body's chief sources of stored carbohydrates.
A drug containing this hormone, obtained from the pancreas of animals or produced synthetically and used to treat diabetes.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

insulin [(in-suh-lin, in-syuh-lin)]

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the levels of sugar in the blood.