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
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t use insulin properly.
—
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 May 2025
Banana and Nut Butter In addition to tryptophan, the sugar in ripe bananas may help release insulin, driving larger amino acids into muscle tissue.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
Studies indicate that cannabis users often have better carbohydrate metabolism and lower fasting insulin levels compared to non-users, suggesting the body can use insulin more effectively.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Inside, one of my colleagues, a bearded intensivist named Shiraz Saleem, was treating a teen-age girl with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
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Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 May 2025
Banana and Nut Butter In addition to tryptophan, the sugar in ripe bananas may help release insulin, driving larger amino acids into muscle tissue.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025
Studies indicate that cannabis users often have better carbohydrate metabolism and lower fasting insulin levels compared to non-users, suggesting the body can use insulin more effectively.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Inside, one of my colleagues, a bearded intensivist named Shiraz Saleem, was treating a teen-age girl with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insulin
Cite this Entry
“Insulin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulin. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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