antidiuretic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “antidiuretic” mean?
A substance that reduces or prevents the production of urine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A substance that reduces or prevents the production of urine.
In medicine and physiology, an agent (often a hormone or drug) that inhibits the excretion of water by the kidneys, thereby decreasing urine output and helping the body retain fluid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Purely technical/medical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse in both regions, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “antidiuretic” in a Sentence
[substance] acts as an antidiureticadminister an antidiureticthe antidiuretic effect of [agent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antidiuretic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The patient was given an antidiuretic hormone analogue.
American English
- The medication has a strong antidiuretic effect.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and pharmacological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in endocrinology, nephrology, and critical care medicine for discussing fluid balance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antidiuretic”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antidiuretic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antidiuretic”
- Misspelling as 'antidiurectic' or 'antidiuretic'. Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'The drug antidiuretics').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in medical and scientific contexts.
The hormone vasopressin, also known as Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), is the body's primary natural antidiuretic.
Yes. As a noun: 'Desmopressin is an antidiuretic.' As an adjective: 'It has an antidiuretic effect.'
A diuretic, which is a substance that increases the production of urine (e.g., caffeine, furosemide).
A substance that reduces or prevents the production of urine.
Antidiuretic is usually technical/scientific in register.
Antidiuretic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk/ / ˌæntaɪˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-DIURETIC. ANTI (against) + DIURETIC (makes you pee). So it's AGAINST making pee.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAM or PLUG for the body's fluid system.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an antidiuretic?