estrogen

noun

es·​tro·​gen ˈe-strə-jən 

: any of various natural steroids (such as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system

also : any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (such as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens

Examples of estrogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is also an inverse relationship between estrogen and melatonin. —Kiera Aaron, Health, 31 Oct. 2023

The two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prevention, tamoxifen and raloxifene, reduce estrogen in different ways but offer the same kind of protection. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023

But with intense hormone therapy, the estrogen supply feeding her cancer has been largely shut down. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023

In a similar way to humans experiencing menopause, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone increased in chimps, while levels of estrogens and progestins decreased. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023

Urine samples from 66 female chimpanzees from different stages in their reproductive lives also showed that the transition to this post-reproductive state was marked by changes in hormones like gonadotropins, estrogens, and progestins. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023

These migraines typically occur in the days leading up to menstruation or during menstruation itself, when the drop in estrogen levels can trigger migraines. —Danielle Wilhour, Fortune Well, 9 Aug. 2023

Estrogen modulation Some mushroom species, like the White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), contain compounds that can modulate estrogen levels. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023

The estrogen receptor—the protein that estrogen binds to in order to do its work—is deeply ancient. —Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

estrus + -o- + -gen

Note: The word estrogen was originally a U.S. brand name for an extract of glandular tissue used in the treatment of ovarian dysfunction. Its producer, Parke, Davis and Company, relinquished rights to the name in 1936.

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing estrogen

• estrogen replacement therapy
• selective estrogen receptor modulator

• estrogen replacement therapy
• selective estrogen receptor modulator

Kids Definition

estrogen

noun

es·​tro·​gen ˈes-trə-jən 

: a substance that tends to cause the development of secondary sex characteristics in the female and promote the growth and normal functioning of the female reproductive system

estrogenic

ˌes-trə-ˈjen-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

estrogen

noun

es·​tro·​gen ˈes-trə-jən 

variants or chiefly British oestrogen

ˈē-strə-jən 

: any of various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system

also : any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens

estrogen-like adjective

or estrogenlike

-ˌlīk 

an estrogen-like compound

estrogen-like effects