Standard Lemma guide

vincristine

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /vɪnˈkɹɪ.stiːn/
  • rhymes with -ɪstin

1

noun

Meaning 1

A cytotoxic compound C46H56N4O10 of the alkaloid class obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle and used especially in the form of its sulfate to treat acute leukemia and other cancers.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, medicine, microbiology, natural-sciences, pharmacology, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

periwinkle plant derivative used as an antineoplastic drug (trade name Oncovin); used to treat cancer of the lymphatic system

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Oncovin

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: periwinkle plant derivative

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English vin- Latin crista Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Italic *-īnos Latin -īnusder. Old French -inbor. Middle English -in English -ine English vincristine From vin- (“vinca alkaloid”) + Latin crista (“tuft of leaves on plants”) + English -ine.