erythropoietin

noun

eryth·​ro·​poi·​e·​tin i-ˌrith-rō-ˈpȯi-ə-tən 

: a glycoprotein hormone formed especially in the kidney and stimulating red blood cell formation

Examples of erythropoietin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Endurance runners who were given saline injections but told they were being given a substance similar to erythropoietin ran faster (erythropoietin increases red blood cell production which increases oxygen delivery to working muscles). —Jo Morrison and Eric Moore, STAT, 4 Aug. 2024

Seven decades later, researchers found actual erythropoietin after filtering 670 gallons of urine. —Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024

Jeptoo, whose 2014 triumph here was her third, ultimately was caught and banned for using blood-boosting erythropoietin. —John Powers, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023

The Phase 2 study found erythropoietin was beneficial. —Edward Chen, STAT, 18 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

erythropoietin

noun

eryth·​ro·​poi·​e·​tin i-ˌrith-rō-ˈpȯi-ət-ən 

: a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation and is formed especially in the kidney

Medical Definition

erythropoietin

noun

eryth·​ro·​poi·​e·​tin -ˈpȯi-ət-ən 

: a hormonal substance that is formed especially in the kidney and stimulates red blood cell formation

—abbreviation EPO see epogen