oxytocin

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noun oxy·to·cin \ ˌäk-si-ˈtō-sᵊn \

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

Talk about the neuroscience experiments being done on Williams Syndrome at the Salk Institute—and the role of oxytocin.

— National Geographic, "This Rare Medical Condition Makes You Love Everyone," 16 July 2017
When your dog stares into your eyes, your oxytocin rises.

— thom patterson, CNN, "The mysterious science behind lifesaving dogs," 9 June 2017
More aggressive approaches include the administration of Pitocin and Syntocinon, synthetic versions of the hormone oxytocin.

— tanya ward goodman, Orange County Register, "Past your due date? Some ideas to get that baby moving.," 5 June 2017
Less stress, more relaxation and a boost of oxytocin (the love hormone) lead to a happier you.

— NBC News, "A Doctor's Drug-Free Prescription for Happier Mornings," 2 June 2017
Aaron Caughey, the chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health Sciences University, and a leading researcher on obstetric practice, recalls how Clark standardized the use of oxytocin.

— adam wolfberg, The Atlantic, "The Doctor Who Revolutionized Hospital-Birth Safety," 26 May 2017
At the same time, experts conclude that the release of oxytocin reduces stress levels, and its accompanying melatonin signals the body for a time of rest.

— dr. manny alvarez, Fox News, "5 ways sex benefits your health," 19 May 2017
The World Health Organization currently recommends treating birth hemorrhages by massaging the uterus and injecting uterus-shrinking drugs like oxytocin.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "Inexpensive Drug Prevents Deaths in New Mothers, Study Finds," 26 Apr. 2017
Hormones like vasopressin and oxytocin are key in helping create a sense of closeness in relationships and play a starring role in both scenarios.

— amy paturel, Discover Magazine, "The Neuroscience of Seeing an Ex," 10 Mar. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

oxytocin

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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