hormone

noun

hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
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
hormonelike adjective

Examples of hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The often debilitating condition is caused when the hormone that's meant to loosen pubic ligaments to prepare for childbirth overreacts, opening up the pelvis prematurely. Kelly Glass, Parents, 26 Nov. 2023 There are also receptors of the GLP-1 hormone located on heart cells, and the drug’s direct effect on those receptors may additionally play a role. Elaine Chen, STAT, 11 Nov. 2023 In feeding trials, researchers found abnormalities in the rats' thyroids, alterations in their hormone signaling, and accumulation of brominated fatty acids in the heart, liver, and fat of all animals fed BVO. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023 The current evidence isn’t yet enough to suggest that clinicians should prescribe hormones to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to Mosconi. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2023 The drug mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the gut called GLP-1, and regulates blood sugar by increasing insulin levels. WIRED, 11 Nov. 2023 This can potentially reduce pain, inflammation, and cramping that might happen during the IUD insertion, and the feel-good hormones may calm anxiety before the procedure. Mara Santilli, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023 According to Harvard Health, the reaction that occurs is called a stress reaction, which is when the body starts releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to prepare your body to face a challenging situation. Donna Sarkar, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023 The researchers also measured the levels of five hormones in urine samples from 66 female chimps between the ages of 14 and 67. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hormone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek hormōn, present participle of horman to stir up, from hormē impulse, assault; akin to Greek ornynai to rouse — more at rise

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near hormone

Cite this Entry

“Hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce hormone (audio)
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
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
hormonelike adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hormone

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