Main Entry: hor·mone

Pronunciation: \ˈhȯr-ˌmōn\

Function: noun

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 remote from its point of origin—called also internal secretion; see plant hormone b : a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2 : sex hormone

—hor·mone·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective