indoleacetic acid

noun

in·​dole·​ace·​tic acid ˌin-(ˌ)dō-lə-ˈsē-tik- 

: a crystalline plant hormone C₁₀H₉NO₂ that is a naturally occurring auxin promoting growth and rooting of plants

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

indoleacetic acid

noun

in·​dole·​ace·​tic acid ˈin-ˌdōl-ə-ˌsēt-ik- 

: a plant hormone that promotes growth and rooting of plants

Medical Definition

indoleacetic acid

noun

in·​dole·​ace·​tic acid ˈin-ˌdōl-ə-ˌsēt-ik- 

: a crystalline compound C₁₀H₉NO₂ that is formed from tryptophan in plants and animals, is present in small amounts in normal urine, and acts as a growth hormone in plants

called also heteroauxin