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
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New to the list: Blackberries and potatoes Blackberries were new to the list, having never been tested before by the US Department of Agriculture, while potatoes joined the rankings after being absent in recent years — mainly due to the use of a plant growth regulator called chlorpropham. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 11 June 2025 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 Sprayers are used to apply pesticides, growth regulators, and nutrients to ensure a healthy crop. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 6 Jan. 2025 Look for baits that contain an insect growth regulator (IGR), which affects their reproductive abilities. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024 The farming methods of today are a stark contrast as pesticides and growth regulators are used to override the instincts of nature. Anna Haines, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 One potential solution is plant growth regulators, of which one type could delay the early blooms. Evan Lasseter, ajc, 10 July 2023 Its dual-action formula contains both an insecticide and an insect growth regulator to effectively kill adult fleas and prevent their eggs from hatching. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2023 This shampoo contains an insect growth regulator that prevents fleas from reproducing. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of growth regulator was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Growth regulator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growth%20regulator. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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