noun
Uncommon
insulin
IHNS-yuu-leen
Insulin (noun) means a hormone that controls how the body uses and stores sugar from food. Example: “The pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.”
noun
1
A hormone that controls how the body uses and stores sugar from food.
"The pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels."
"Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into the body's cells."
"After a big meal, the body releases more insulin to deal with the sugar."
2
A manufactured version of this hormone used to treat diabetes.
"She injects insulin before every meal to manage her diabetes."
"He keeps his insulin in the fridge and carries a spare pen."
"The nurse showed the boy how to give himself insulin safely."
How to use insulin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hormone that manages blood sugar, or the medication version of it used by diabetics.
Common pairings
insulin injection
insulin resistance
take insulin
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Word forms
- Plural
- insulins
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The pancreas produces _____ to regulate blood sugar levels.
Etymology
From Latin insula ("island") + -in, named after the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, where the hormone is produced.
Rhymes for insulin
See all rhymes for insulin →Frequently asked questions
What does “insulin” mean?
The word “insulin” means a hormone that controls how the body uses and stores sugar from food. In plain terms, the hormone that manages blood sugar, or the medication version of it used by diabetics.
How do you pronounce “insulin”?
“Insulin” is pronounced IHNS-yuu-leen (/ˈɪnsəlɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “insulin” in a sentence?
Here is “insulin” used in a sentence: “The pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.”
What part of speech is “insulin”?
“Insulin” is a noun.
Where does the word “insulin” come from?
The word “insulin” comes from Latin. From Latin insula ("island") + -in, named after the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, where the hormone is produced.
Is “insulin” a common word?
“Insulin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “insulin” have?
“Insulin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hormone that controls how the body uses and stores sugar from food.
What is the difference between insulin and glucose?
Insulin is a hormone that controls how the body uses and stores sugar from food, while glucose is the sugar itself that circulates in the blood and serves as the body's main energy source. Insulin's job is to regulate glucose levels, not to serve as an energy source itself.
Why do people with diabetes need insulin?
People with diabetes either don't produce enough natural insulin or can't use it effectively, so manufactured insulin is used as a medical treatment to help control blood sugar levels. This treatment version of insulin is typically injected.
Is insulin the same in its natural and medical forms?
Insulin refers to both the naturally occurring hormone produced by the body and a manufactured version used as a diabetes medication. The manufactured form is designed to replicate the function of the natural hormone.
