hormone

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noun hor·mone \ˈhȯr-ˌmōn\

Definition of hormone

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 : sex hormone

hormonelike

play \ˈhȯr-ˌmōn-ˌlīk\ adjective

See hormone defined for English-language learners

See hormone defined for kids

Recent Examples of hormone from the Web

Pregnancy can change hormone levels and blood clotting factors, as well as decrease blood flow because of pressure on uterine veins, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "New mom Kate Bilo's blood clots highlight a risk of childbirth", 26 June 2017
Butorphanol, an opioid analgesic, and melengesterol acetate, a synthetic hormone not approved for use in poultry, were also found.

— deena shanker, Bloomberg.com, "There Could Be Ketamine In Your ‘Natural’ Chicken", 22 June 2017
INSULIN Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas gland when carbs are consumed.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Yes, there are good carbs. Here's what to eat, and the ones to avoid", 22 June 2017
The group explained that triclosan and triclocarban are endocrine disruptors that may affect hormone cycles and development.

— ariana eunjung cha, chicagotribune.com, "200 scientists call for new restrictions on antimicrobial chemicals in personal-care products", 20 June 2017
That sensitivity may spur the growth of boys during adolescence, when their bodies are flooded with growth hormone.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "Scientists Discover a Key to a Longer Life in Male DNA", 16 June 2017
Goal is Cure Roche officials welcomed its combo results, saying women with higher-risk tumors, including those that had spread to the lymph nodes or wouldn’t respond to hormone therapy, derived the most benefit.

— naomi kresge, Bloomberg.com, "Roche's Pricey New Breast-Cancer Combo Barely Beats Old Drug", 5 June 2017
The spa's website lists benefits including hormone production to maintain uterine health and menstrual cycle regulation.

— sadé carpenter, chicagotribune.com, "5 things you might not want to do to your vagina", 5 June 2017
Occasionally a drug is an animal product itself, such as the anti-clotting injection heparin or the female hormone product Premarin.

— teresa graedon, The Seattle Times, "Headaches or muscle pain? Tart cherry juice may provide sweet relief", 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hormone'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hormone

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

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First Known Use: 1905

See Words from the same year

HORMONE Defined for English Language Learners

hormone

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noun

Definition of hormone for English Language Learners

: a natural substance that is produced in the body and that influences the way the body grows or develops

HORMONE Defined for Kids

hormone

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noun hor·mone \ˈhȯr-ˌmōn\

Definition of hormone for Students

: any of various chemical substances produced by body cells and released especially into the blood and having a specific effect on cells or organs of the body usually at a distance from the place of origin

Medical Dictionary

hormone

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noun hor·mone \ˈhȯr-ˌmōn\

Medical Definition of hormone

1a: 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, 18 May 2002b: 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, April 2000