androgen

noun

an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən How to pronounce androgen (audio)
: a male sex hormone (such as testosterone)
androgenic adjective

Examples of androgen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hormones called androgens are primarily to blame for significant hair loss; specifically, an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which the body creates from its total supply of testosterone each day. Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023 Discovery and therapeutic promise of selective androgen receptor modulators. The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 July 2023 Selective androgen receptor modulators: the future of androgen therapy? The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 July 2023 Enhanced evaluation of selective androgen receptor modulators in vivo. The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 July 2023 Furthermore, hormonal imbalances, especially those related to androgen and estrogen levels, play a crucial role in acne development. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 18 July 2023 Dark, coarse hairs can pop up in unwanted spots like the face, back, and chest if the body produces too much androgen. Kathleen Felton, Health, 5 July 2023 By belonging to the class of drugs called androgens, Testosterone Cypionate influences multiple body systems, enabling proper development and functioning. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023 Some men use very high doses of testosterone or other androgens for muscle building. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'androgen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of androgen was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near androgen

Cite this Entry

“Androgen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/androgen. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

androgen

noun
an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən How to pronounce androgen (audio)
: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)

Medical Definition

androgen

noun
an·​dro·​gen ˈan-drə-jən How to pronounce androgen (audio)
: a male sex hormone (as testosterone)
androgenic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on androgen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!