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

Working together, adrenaline and cortisol seamlessly help the body cope with short-term threats. —Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025

The Neuroscience of Stress And Work-Life Conflict When work and life feel in competition rather than harmony, the brain shifts into a chronic stress state, triggering the release of cortisol and adrenaline. —Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

And then there are the Oceano Dunes, just to the south—California’s only drivable beach and a true adrenaline playground. —Cliff Lewis, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025

After losing to UMass in overtime last Thursday, the pair turned pro and immediately suited up for the Blackhawks on Sunday night, just coasting on adrenaline. —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

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