hormone

noun

hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
1
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (such as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually remote from its point of origin
also : a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
hormonelike adjective

Examples of hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That’s because hair loss often isn’t the result of a lack of nutrients to the hair follicles but rather a matter of hormones; in the case of genetic hair loss, for instance, the follicles are sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024 The hormone as a medication has existed for decades, and today's patients include men with hypogonadism, some transgender men who use it to help transition physically, and, sometimes, women dealing with menopausal symptoms. Michael Scaturro, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2024 Estrogen normally helps protect your skin, but the hormone decreases around your period. Anthea Levi, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 Teens may also turn to over-the-counter hormones and supplements that aren't FDA-approved. Lauren Rowello, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 As the sun sets in the evening, the diminishing light triggers the body to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone. Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024 The most common puberty blockers, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, inhibit the hormone that kick-starts puberty in both sexes. Alexa Lee, STAT, 7 Mar. 2024 While semaglutide only mimics the hormone GLP-1, tirzepatide mimics both GLP-1 and the hormone GIP. Ed Cara / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 While Nick's character is a late-bloomer, Andrew is, well, fully bloomed, spending a lot of time dealing with an overactive imagination, out-of-control hormones, and a favorite new pastime called...masturbation. Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hormone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek hormōn, present participle of horman to stir up, from hormē impulse, assault; akin to Greek ornynai to rouse — more at rise

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near hormone

Cite this Entry

“Hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific and often stimulating effect on cells usually at a distance from the place where it is made

Medical Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
1
a
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually a distance from its point of synthesis
Some people develop insulin resistance, a condition in which response to the hormone is muted and the body must produce excess insulin to maintain healthy blood-glucose concentrations.Ben Harder, Science News
b
: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
: sex hormone
I discovered I had the classic signs of perimenopause, the prelude to "the change" when hormones yo-yo before menstrual periods cease altogether …Beth Witrogen McLeod, Cooking Light
hormonelike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hormone

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