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

: growth regulator

Examples of growth hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who take a GLP-1 medication also tend to have elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a growth hormone that helps control sebum production. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

Since their approval, the program has covered everything: physical and occupational therapy, visits to their daughter’s nine specialists and a weekly growth hormone. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025

Excess body weight can cause cancer by stimulating growth hormones that then tell cells to divide more often, increasing the risk of cancer. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Estrogen, insulin, growth hormone, and testosterone are anabolic hormones. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for growth hormone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

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