juvenile hormone

noun

: an insect hormone that is secreted by the corpora allata, inhibits maturation to the imago, and plays a role in reproduction

Examples of juvenile hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Because the juvenile hormone is known to regulate metamorphosis in insects, the finding could mean that some of the molecular mechanisms controlling the process evolved in a common ancestor of worms and insects. Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 17 Jan. 2023 Around the time the worm’s larva began its transformation, many cells started to produce an enzyme that, in insects, helps activate a molecule called juvenile hormone. Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 17 Jan. 2023 And the females had very high levels of one particular hormone (called juvenile hormone III) in their bodies. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'juvenile 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

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juvenile hormone was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near juvenile hormone

Cite this Entry

“Juvenile hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juvenile%20hormone. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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