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

High levels of the hormone androgen may result in excess facial and body hair, called hirsutism. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Sep. 2024

Excess androgens contribute to symptoms like excessive body hair, acne and irregular periods. —Syeda Saad, refinery29.com, 25 Sep. 2024

When the body doesn't make enough of the hormones necessary for ovulation, the ovaries can develop cysts, which then make androgens, a hormone that biological men typically have higher amount of. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 22 Sep. 2024

When the body doesn't make enough of the hormones necessary for ovulation, the ovaries can develop cysts, which then make androgens, a hormone that men typically have higher amount of. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2024

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