oxytocin

noun oxy·to·cin \ ˌäk-si-ˈtō-sᵊn \

|Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of oxytocin

: a pituitary octapeptide hormone C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂ that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk

Recent Examples of oxytocin from the Web

In girls and women, the hormone oxytocin is powerful in promoting nurturing behavior and trust.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Is vasopressin what's lacking in the brains of those with autism?," 3 May 2018
Often this is the female half of the equation, thanks to the release of a certain evil chemical called oxytocin that makes women feel warm and fuzzy and overly-bonded to our partner.

— author: wayne and wanda, Anchorage Daily News, "I told him I wasn’t interested in a relationship – but now I’ve fallen hard. How can I convince him to give us a shot?," 29 Apr. 2018
Calming a whimpering puppy or stroking a dog’s fur provokes a surge of oxytocin — a hormone that promotes trust, calmness and social bonds — just like caring for a child.

— cindy kuzma, USA TODAY, "Three stories that exemplify the healing power of a pet," 8 Apr. 2018
The evidence points toward a hormone called oxytocin that is responsible for generating maternal care in the amygdala.

— lynn johnson, National Geographic, "How Fear Makes You Do Good Or Evil," 3 Jan. 2018
During labor, Mangin kissed her husband to kickstart production of the hormone oxytocin (which can trigger calm and serenity).

— anthea levi, Health.com, "Here’s How This Mom Says She Experienced an 'Orgasmic' Childbirth," 23 Mar. 2018
According to information published in Time magazine, singing may release endorphins associated with feelings of pleasure as well as stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is found to alleviate anxiety and stress.

— chicagotribune.com, "The health benefits of singing a tune," 15 Mar. 2018
People who kiss their pets a lot have a higher level of the bonding hormone oxytocin, Kurz said.

— cheryl higley, cleveland.com, "Man arrested on warrant, drunken driving charge: Avon Lake police," 4 Mar. 2018
Such contact causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which triggers the release of chemicals like dopamine and endorphins in the nucleus accumbens, a hub of pleasure and motivation in the brain.

— abigail marsh, Washington Post, "James Corden had one thing right: We’re neurologically wired to love puppies," 20 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of oxytocin

International Scientific Vocabulary, from oxytocic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1928

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

oxytocin

noun oxy·to·cin \ -ˈtōs-ᵊn \

medical Definition of oxytocin

1 : an octapeptide hormone C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂ secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk — called also alpha-hypophamine

2 : a synthetic version of oxytocin used especially to initiate or increase uterine contractions (as in the induction of labor) — see pitocin