Main Entry:

pher·o·mone

Pronunciation:

\ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

International Scientific Vocabulary phero- (from Greek pherein to carry) + -mone (as in hormone) — more at bear

Date:

1959

: 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

— pher·o·mon·al \ˌfer-ə-ˈmō-n^əl\ adjective