androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (such as testosterone)

androgenic

ˌan-drə-ˈje-nik 

adjective

Examples of androgen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Research shows the drug can significantly reduce androgen levels, get menstrual cycles back on track, and improve insulin sensitivity when used to treat PCOS specifically. —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 16 June 2025

Adrenal tumors or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a group of hereditary adrenal gland disorders, can cause these glands to make too many androgens (male hormones), leading to high testosterone.1 5. —Brandi Jones, Health, 6 June 2025

It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels, and polycystic ovaries, which are enlarged ovaries containing numerous small cysts. —Advertorial, Oc Register, 5 June 2025

The team also noted that both the fishing and leopard cats—which are both closely related to domestic felines—possessed only the short-type version of the androgen receptor gene. —Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

andro- + -gen, after estrogen

Note: The term was apparently introduced in a short article "The Nomenclature of 'Male Hormones'" by the American Medical Society's Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, published in the Journal of the American Medical Society, vol. 107, no. 3 (July 18, 1936), p. 212.

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing androgen

• androgen deprivation therapy
• androgen insensitivity syndrome
• anti-androgen

Kids Definition

androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)

Medical Definition

androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən 

: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)

androgenic

ˌan-drə-ˈjen-ik 

adjective