adrenaline

noun

adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdre-nə-lən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Horseshoe Bay Resort Horseshoe Bay, Texas Calling all thrill-seeking kiddos: The Jungle Kids Club at Horseshoe Bay Resort keeps little ones’ adrenaline pumping with a two-story jungle gym, tall tunnel slide, and rock-climbing wall. Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024 Sate your need for adrenaline with a 4WD adventure at Kings Creek Station, go off-roading along Savannah Way or take a scenic flight over Kakadu’s waterfalls before cruising Yellow Water to do some birding. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 A good Call of Duty campaign is like a shot of adrenaline sent straight into your bloodstream. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 For some, beating the winter blues means chasing adrenaline down a steep, snowy slope. Meira Gebel, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adrenaline 

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adrenaline was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near adrenaline

Cite this Entry

“Adrenaline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adrenaline. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

adrenaline

noun
adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)

Medical Definition

adrenaline

noun
adren·​a·​line ə-ˈdren-ᵊl-ən How to pronounce adrenaline (audio)
: epinephrine
recognized by the British Pharmaceutical Codex as the preferred name for epinephrine in Great Britain

More from Merriam-Webster on adrenaline

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