growth regulator

noun

: any of various synthetic or naturally occurring plant substances (such as an auxin or gibberellin) that regulate growth

Examples of growth regulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Look for baits that contain an insect growth regulator (IGR), which affects their reproductive abilities. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026

Large pest control companies typically use insecticides with synthetic pyrethroids and insect growth regulators (like pyriproxyfen). — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Members of the Georgia Arborist Association spread mulch around the base of each trunk to reduce soil compaction caused by competitors and judges, provided soil care, and, for this tree, threw in a growth regulator as well. — Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

John Deere also plans to release driverless tractors that can spray nut orchards with pesticides, growth regulators, and nutrients for the trees. — Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for growth regulator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator