abscisic acid
noun
ab·scis·ic acid
ˌab-ˈsi-zik- 
-sik-
: a plant hormone C15H20O4 that is a sesquiterpene widespread in nature and that typically promotes leaf abscission and dormancy and has an inhibitory effect on cell elongation
Examples of abscisic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When temperature, light, moisture, and other environmental conditions are right for that seed, hormones like gibberellin and abscisic acid (ABA) will shift in balance and germination will occur.
—
Dr. Nick Goltz, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Many seeds require both abscisic acid and DOG1 to maintain dormancy, Brandt says.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Researchers have worked out that such seeds resist germination by maintaining a certain balance of two plant hormones—abscisic acid and gibberellin—inside the seed.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Biology category winner Israel Sampaio Filho, National Institute of Amazonian Research, Leaf abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis: the main source of Amazon rainforest response to warming
Abscisic Acid (ABA) at the Heart of Amazon Rainforest Response to Warming.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
In a natural system of stress hormones and receptors, the hormone abscisic acid is produced by a plant and binds to receptors during droughts, which help tell the plant to close its pores to retain more water.
—Jules Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2023
Arabidopsis, like all plants, uses a hormone called abscisic acid, or ABA, to send alerts when it’s stressed by conditions like cold, drought, or changes in soil chemistry.
—WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023
Notably, the genes related to the synthesis of a major hormone responsible for plant stress responses and signaling called abscisic acid (ABA) have also been lost in Balanophora and Sapria.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Biology category winner Israel Sampaio Filho, National Institute of Amazonian Research, Leaf abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis: the main source of Amazon rainforest response to warming Abscisic Acid (ABA) at the Heart of Amazon Rainforest Response to Warming.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
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.
Dr. Nick Goltz, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Many seeds require both abscisic acid and DOG1 to maintain dormancy, Brandt says.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Researchers have worked out that such seeds resist germination by maintaining a certain balance of two plant hormones—abscisic acid and gibberellin—inside the seed.
—Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 May 2025
Biology category winner Israel Sampaio Filho, National Institute of Amazonian Research, Leaf abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis: the main source of Amazon rainforest response to warming
Abscisic Acid (ABA) at the Heart of Amazon Rainforest Response to Warming.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
In a natural system of stress hormones and receptors, the hormone abscisic acid is produced by a plant and binds to receptors during droughts, which help tell the plant to close its pores to retain more water.
—Jules Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2023
Arabidopsis, like all plants, uses a hormone called abscisic acid, or ABA, to send alerts when it’s stressed by conditions like cold, drought, or changes in soil chemistry.
—WIRED, 30 Oct. 2023
Notably, the genes related to the synthesis of a major hormone responsible for plant stress responses and signaling called abscisic acid (ABA) have also been lost in Balanophora and Sapria.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Sep. 2023
Biology category winner Israel Sampaio Filho, National Institute of Amazonian Research, Leaf abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis: the main source of Amazon rainforest response to warming Abscisic Acid (ABA) at the Heart of Amazon Rainforest Response to Warming.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Abscisic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abscisic%20acid. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share