melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun

: any of several vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells

Examples of melanocyte-stimulating hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Originally developed as a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the peptide was designed to activate melanocortin receptors and stimulate melanin production. — Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Johnson thought the most likely mechanism would be melanocytes—skin cells that contain pigment—and another hormone known as MSH, or melanocyte-stimulating hormone. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 July 2022

During pregnancy, there even appear to be higher levels of what’s known as melanocyte-stimulating hormone. — Korin Miller, SELF, 27 Aug. 2018

Instead of drilling and filling, a gel containing the peptide melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) could let teeth grow back from within! — Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for melanocyte-stimulating hormone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Medical Definition

melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun

: either of two vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells

—abbreviation MSH

called also intermedin, melanophore-stimulating hormone, melanotropin