exogenous

adjective

ex·​og·​e·​nous ek-ˈsä-jə-nəs 

1

: produced by growth from superficial tissue

exogenous roots produced by leaves

2

a

: caused by factors (such as food or a traumatic factor) or an agent (such as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system

exogenous obesity

exogenous psychic depression

exogenous market fluctuations

b

: introduced from or produced outside the organism or system

specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system

exogenously adverb

Examples of exogenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Much like other financial sectors, it is affected by exogenous factors. —Jason Dehni, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

But four years of exogenous shocks, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, have made the task impossible in many developing economies. —Mark Suzman, Foreign Affairs, 11 July 2024

There are two primary types of Cushing syndrome: exogenous and endogenous, which are differentiated based on the cause of the disorder. —Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

The comedian revealed that she had been diagnosed with exogenous Cushing syndrome due to receiving high doses of steroid injections. —Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 25 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French exogène exogenous, from exo- + -gène (from Greek -genēs born) — more at -gen

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

exogenous

adjective

ex·​og·​e·​nous ek-ˈsäj-ə-nəs 

variants also exogenic

ˌek-sō-ˈjen-ik 

1

: growing from or on the outside

exogenous spores

2

: caused by factors (as food or a traumatic event) or an agent (as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system

exogenous obesity

exogenous depression

3

: introduced from or produced outside the organism or system

specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system compare endogenous

exogenously adverb