hormone therapy

noun

: the therapeutic use of hormones: such as
a
: the administration of hormones especially to increase diminished levels in the body
b
: therapy involving the use of drugs or surgical procedures to suppress the production of or to inhibit the effects of a hormone (such as estrogen or testosterone)
hormone therapy to treat breast or prostate cancer
c
: the administration or use of sex hormones (such as estrogen or testosterone) or other agents (such as antiandrogens) to suppress or induce the development of certain secondary sex characteristics to better align with the gender identity of a transgender or gender nonconforming individual
Many transgender people take lifelong hormone therapyCarina Storrs

Examples of hormone therapy 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.
The order threatens to withhold federal funds to medical facilities and professionals who provide hormone therapy or surgical treatment for minors experiencing gender dysphoria to transition to the gender that fits their gender identity. Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026 Treatments like hormone therapy, voice therapy, injections and hydration can help. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Mar. 2026 In addition, higher protein levels in the blood were a stronger predictor of dementia risk in women who took hormone therapy for menopause combining both estrogen and progestin than in women who didn’t use hormones. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Mar. 2026 The study also found that p-tau217 was a stronger predictor of dementia in women who were randomly assigned to receive estrogen and progestin hormone therapy compared to those who received a placebo. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hormone therapy

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone therapy was in 1914

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Cite this Entry

“Hormone therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone%20therapy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Medical Definition

hormone therapy

noun
variants or hormonal therapy
: the therapeutic use of hormones: as
a
: the administration of hormones especially to increase diminished levels in the body
b
: therapy involving the use of drugs or surgical procedures to suppress the production of or inhibit the effects of a hormone (as estrogen or testosterone)
hormone therapy to treat breast or prostate cancer
c
: the administration or use of sex hormones or other agents (as antiandrogens) to suppress or induce the development of certain secondary sex characteristics to better align with the gender identity of an individual
Many transgender people take lifelong hormone therapyCarina Storrs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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