insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a protein pancreatic hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans that is essential especially for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood and that when insufficiently produced results in diabetes mellitus

Examples of insulin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Having low insulin sensitivity, or insulin resistance as it is sometimes called, leads to muscle, fat and liver cells failing to respond to insulin—the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

In an insulin pump, for example, data at rest is when the pump is gathering information about a patient’s glucose level. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2025

Hormonal Changes: Magnesium helps regulate the production and release of hormones, such as insulin, thyroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone. —Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 6 Feb. 2025

By Alice Park February 6, 2025 7:02 AM EST Becoming a nurse was practically a given for Eugenia Millender, who began her years of health service by helping her grandmother, who didn’t like needles, with her insulin injections. —Alice Park, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin insula islet (of Langerhans), from Latin, island

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing insulin

• insulin-dependent diabetes
• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• insulin-like growth factor
• insulin resistance
• insulin resistance syndrome
• insulin shock
• non-insulin-dependent diabetes
• non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Kids Definition

insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is necessary for the normal use of glucose by the body

Medical Definition

insulin

noun

in·​su·​lin ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən 

: a protein hormone that is synthesized in the pancreas from proinsulin and secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into tissues, by promoting its conversion into glycogen, fatty acids, and triglycerides, and by reducing the release of glucose from the liver, and that when produced in insufficient quantities results in diabetes mellitus see iletin