progesterone

noun

pro·​ges·​ter·​one prō-ˈje-stə-ˌrōn 

: a female steroid sex hormone C₂₁H₃₀O₂ that is secreted by the corpus luteum to prepare the endometrium for implantation and later by the placenta during pregnancy to prevent rejection of the developing embryo or fetus

Examples of progesterone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found key reproductive hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in hard tissues, such as the bones and teeth, of skeletons dating back as far as 1,000 years, according to a study published October 2 in the Journal of Archaeological Science. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025

For The Union-Tribune The voice of menopause One underexplored phenomenon of menopause is how the voice of women can change during the process, the result of falling levels of estrogen and progesterone. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025

Given that her cancer was hormone-fed — estrogen positive, progesterone positive, and HER2 positive — Shahi required immediate aggressive treatment. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Hormonal Changes Hormones like estrogen and progesterone help control how your body handles fluids and blood pressure. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

blend of progestin and luteosterone (borrowed from German Luteosteron, from luteo- luteo- + -steron -sterone), both earlier names for progesterone

Note: The name resulted from a compromise between researchers associated with the earlier names, the American gynecologist Willard M. Allen and embryologist George Washington Corner, and the German biochemists Adolph Butenandt and Karl Heinrich Slotta. See W. M. Allen, A. Butenandt, G. W. Corner, and K. H. Slotta, "Nomenclature of Corpus Luteum Hormone," Nature, vol. 136, number 303 (September 1, 1935), p. 303.

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for progesterone

• aldosterone
• anticyclone
• testosterone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone

Kids Definition

progesterone

noun

pro·​ges·​ter·​one prō-ˈjes-tə-ˌrōn 

: a hormone that is produced by the corpus luteum and causes the uterus to change so that it provides a suitable environment for a fertilized egg

Medical Definition

progesterone

noun

pro·​ges·​ter·​one prō-ˈjes-tə-ˌrōn 

: a female steroid sex hormone C₂₁H₃₀O₂ that is secreted by the corpus luteum to prepare the endometrium for implantation and later by the placenta during pregnancy to prevent rejection of the developing embryo or fetus

Note: Synthetic steroids (such as progestins) that function similarly in the body are sometimes also referred to as progesterones.