international unit

American  

noun

Pharmacology.

1. an internationally agreed upon standard, as measured by bioassay, to which samples of a substance, as a drug or hormone, are compared to ascertain their relative potency.

2. the particular quantity of such a substance, which causes a specific biological effect. IU

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international unit Scientific  

1. A unit for measuring a biologically active substance, such as a hormone or vitamin.

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Etymology

Origin of international unit

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The recent quarter included a roughly $234 million noncash impairment charge, which the company said was primarily related to a minority investment in its international unit and certain intangible assets in its retail segment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

That's a natural midfielder, a Motherwell centre-half and a previously uncapped 33-year-old Aberdeen defender forming a solid international unit almost overnight.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2020

Early testing in The Netherlands, where Disney offered a free two-month trial of Disney+, attracted a “very large and diverse audience,” said Mayer, who runs Disney’s direct-to-consumer and international unit.

From Reuters • Nov. 12, 2019

John Harris, chief executive of Raytheon’s international unit, told The Associated Press that the company, whose U.K. roots go back 100 years, sees opportunities for growth even as Britain’s negotiations with the bloc drag on.

From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2018

They have brought to light the fact that no human or social unit short of the international unit of the whole race can adequately deal with the resources of the planet.

From The Complex Vision by Powys, John Cowper