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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some have testicles that are malfunctioning in testosterone production, while others see a decline in the hormone because of age. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 By accurately detecting the pregnancy hormone in saliva, Salistick transforms the testing experience, enabling easy, non-invasive pregnancy detection from the comfort of home. Gil Press, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 Wen: Stress is a normal physiological response in which our bodies release hormones that lead to effects such as faster heartbeat, increased blood pressure and higher blood sugar levels. Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 The rationale behind Clayface’s appearance emerged in comics of the 1970s, which evolved the character into a scientist with hormone irregularities. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hormone 

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 21 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!