pheromone

noun

pher·​o·​mone ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn 

: a chemical substance that is usually produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses

pheromonal

ˌfer-ə-ˈmō-nᵊl 

adjective

Examples of pheromone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is no speech, everyone communicates by pheromones, and Tarantino-esque levels of danger and violence are never far away. —Vogue, 29 July 2025

They are also attracted to the pheromones emitted by other stink bugs. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 July 2025

Cats can use their urine and pheromones as a way to communicate. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 July 2025

In some areas, the DNR is even spraying pheromones to confuse and disrupt mating between male and female moths, said Bruner. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 16 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek phérein "to carry" + -o- + -mone (in hormone) — more at bear entry 2

Note: Name introduced by the German biochemist Peter Karlson (1918-2001) and the Swiss entomologist Martin Lüscher (1917-79) in "'Pheromones': a New Term for a Class of Biologically Active Substances," Nature, vol. 183, no. 4653 (January 3, 1959), pp. 55-56: "We propose, therefore, the designation 'pheromone' for this group of active substances. The name is derived from the Greek pherein, to transfer; hormōn, to excite. Pheromones are defined as substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species, in which they release a specific reaction, for example, a definite behaviour or a developmental process."

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pheromone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

pheromone

noun

pher·​o·​mone ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn 

: a chemical substance (as a scent) that is produced by an animal and serves as a signal to other individuals of the same species to engage in some kind of behavior (as mating)

Medical Definition

pheromone

noun

pher·​o·​mone ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn 

: a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses

called also ectohormone