insulin

noun in·su·lin \ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən\

medical : a substance that your body makes and uses to turn sugar into energy

Full Definition of INSULIN

: 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

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Origin of INSULIN

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

First Known Use: 1914

INSULIN Defined for Kids

insulin

noun in·su·lin \ˈin-sə-lən\

Definition of INSULIN for Kids

: a hormone made by the pancreas that helps the cells in the body take up glucose from the blood and that is used to treat diabetes

Medical Dictionary

insulin

noun in·su·lin \ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən\

Medical Definition of INSULIN

: 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