1
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (such as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually remote from its point of origin
also
: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
Examples of hormone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because of this, shelter dogs tend to have higher stress hormone levels (like cortisol) and get less rest compared to dogs living in a home.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
However, consuming a caffeinated beverage may unknowingly spike your cortisol levels, as caffeine can stimulate the production and release of the hormone.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
The spice is thought to increase levels of serotonin (the mood-boosting hormone) in the brain, which may have positive effects on conditions like anxiety and depression.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Insulin is a hormone that helps shuttle sugar from the blood into cells, where it can be used for energy.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hormone
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Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
However, consuming a caffeinated beverage may unknowingly spike your cortisol levels, as caffeine can stimulate the production and release of the hormone.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
The spice is thought to increase levels of serotonin (the mood-boosting hormone) in the brain, which may have positive effects on conditions like anxiety and depression.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Insulin is a hormone that helps shuttle sugar from the blood into cells, where it can be used for energy.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hormone
Cite this Entry
“Hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hormone
noun
hor·mone
ˈhȯr-ˌmōn 
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific and often stimulating effect on cells usually at a distance from the place where it is made
Medical Definition
hormone
noun
hor·mone
ˈhȯr-ˌmōn
1
a
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually a distance from its point of synthesis
Some people develop insulin resistance, a condition in which response to the hormone is muted and the body must produce excess insulin to maintain healthy blood-glucose concentrations.—Ben Harder, Science News
Ben Harder, Science News
b
: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
: sex hormone
I discovered I had the classic signs of perimenopause, the prelude to "the change" when hormones yo-yo before menstrual periods cease altogether …—Beth Witrogen McLeod, Cooking Light
Beth Witrogen McLeod, Cooking LightLove words? Need even more definitions?
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