adrenergic

[ ad-ruh-nur-jik ]

adjective

1. of or like epinephrine in effect.
2. releasing epinephrine.
3. activated by epinephrine or any of various substances having epinephrinelike activity.

noun

1. a drug or other agent having an epinephrinelike effect.

adrenergic

/ ˌædrəˈnɜːdʒɪk /

adjective

1. releasing or activated by adrenaline or an adrenaline-like substance

adrenergic

/ ăd′rə-nûr′jĭk /

1. Relating to a neuron or axon that is activated by or capable of releasing epinephrine or an epinephrine-like substance when a nerve impulse passes. The nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system are adrenergic.
2. Having physiological effects similar to those of epinephrine, as certain drugs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adrenergic¹

First recorded in 1930–35; adren- + -ergic

Word History and Origins

Origin of adrenergic¹

C20: adrenaline + Greek ergon work

Example Sentences

When macrophages are activated by the adrenergic signals of the autonomic nervous system, they in turn communicate with fibroblasts.

From Science Daily

I struggled for 10 minutes with a 10-letter puzzle only to give up and be told the word was... adrenergic.

From The Verge

The authors’ findings are of particular interest because these insights might offer a way to combat the tumour-driven formation of adrenergic neurons and to counteract their tumour-promoting effects.

From Nature

Another mystery is which types of adrenergic receptor are crucial for the effects of catecholamines on cytokine levels in humans.

From Nature

This replacement marrow was deficient in a specific molecule called adrenergic receptor beta, which made the bone marrow less responsive to the neural messages from the brain.

From Washington Post