hormone

noun

hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn 

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

ˈhȯr-ˌmōn-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cancer had spread to his bones, and it was labeled as hormone-sensitive. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

The protein-rich food contains vitamins, minerals, cholesterol-fighting lecithin, and hormone-balancing phytoestrogens. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 23 July 2026

Peptides are the building blocks of more complex proteins, triggering hormones inside the body needed for growth, metabolism and healing. — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Movement helps regulate stress hormones, can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, may improve mood in ways that make falling asleep easier, and supports the body’s natural sleep-wake rhythms. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing hormone

• adrenocorticotropic hormone
• antidiuretic hormone
• brain hormone
• follicle-stimulating hormone
• gonadotropin-releasing hormone
• growth hormone
• hormone replacement therapy
• hormone therapy
• human growth hormone
• juvenile hormone
• luteinizing hormone
• luteinizing hormone-releasing factor
• luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
• luteotrophic hormone
• luteotropic hormone
• melanocyte-stimulating hormone
• parathyroid hormone
• plant hormone
• sex hormone
• somatotropic hormone
• steroid hormone
• thyroid-stimulating hormone
• thyrotropic hormone
• thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Rhymes for hormone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids 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

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

-ˌlīk 

adjective