hormone

noun

hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
1
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (such as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually remote from its point of origin
also : a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
hormonelike adjective

Examples of hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hair banking is underway at South Florida hair clinics, where doctors remove young, healthy hair follicles for cryo-preservation before they are affected by hormones or age. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 Estrogen patches — also known as estradiol patches — delivers the hormone estrogen via the skin, where it's absorbed to help alleviate the more distressing symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, and vaginal dryness and burning. Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026 Better sleep itself may also support hormone health. Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, carbs—the body’s primary energy source—increase your blood sugar, or blood glucose, and, in turn, trigger the pancreas to secrete insulin (a hormone that tells the body’s cells to absorb glucose to prevent an overload). Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hormone

Word History

Etymology

Greek hormōn, present participle of horman to stir up, from hormē impulse, assault; akin to Greek ornynai to rouse — more at rise

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific and often stimulating effect on cells usually at a distance from the place where it is made

Medical Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
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 a distance from its point of synthesis
Some people develop insulin resistance, a condition in which response to the hormone is muted and the body must produce excess insulin to maintain healthy blood-glucose concentrations.Ben Harder, Science News
b
: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
: sex hormone
I discovered I had the classic signs of perimenopause, the prelude to "the change" when hormones yo-yo before menstrual periods cease altogether …Beth Witrogen McLeod, Cooking Light
hormonelike adjective

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