growth hormone

noun

1
: a vertebrate polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and regulates growth
also : a recombinant version of this hormone

called also somatotropin

2

Examples of growth hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Farmer protests last year loudly opposed more beef imports from South American countries, in part over concerns that the cows might be raised with a growth hormone. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 11 May 2025 In a few other cases, it was acquired by people who used products — such as growth hormone, or who received corneal transplants — derived, inadvertently, from infected cadavers. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 The outlet added that he was diagnosed with gigantism, a medical condition that involves the overproduction of growth hormone. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The European Union has banned American beef made with growth hormones since 1989, when a prohibition on the production and importation of meat from animals treated with such hormones went into effect. William Gavin, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for growth hormone

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of growth hormone was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Growth hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growth%20hormone. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

growth hormone

noun
: a hormone in plants or animals that regulates growth
especially : one produced by the pituitary gland

Medical Definition

growth hormone

noun
: a vertebrate polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and regulates growth
also : a recombinant version of this hormone

called also somatotropic hormone, somatotropin

see human growth hormone

More from Merriam-Webster on growth hormone

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