relaxin
noun
re·lax·in
ri-ˈlak-sən 
: a sex hormone of the corpus luteum that facilitates birth by causing relaxation of the pelvic ligaments
Examples of relaxin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Injuries can influence this process, as can being pregnant—a hormone called relaxin makes your ligaments more elastic to allow for childbirth, and the resulting changes in your feet can be permanent (Dr. Canzanese herself went up from a 10.5 regular to an 11 wide after having kids).
—
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 12 Sep. 2023
That’s because at six weeks, your joints, including your knees and hips, are still feeling the effects of the hormone relaxin, which is produced during pregnancy.
—Tiffany Ayuda, SELF, 6 Oct. 2022
From an athlete’s perspective, an important hormone of note is relaxin, which is produced by the ovaries and the placenta.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
And because relaxin continues to have a strong presence throughout breastfeeding, loose ligaments can persist long after childbirth.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
But like most hormones, relaxin circulates in the blood and can affect all ligaments, not just those associated with pregnancy.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
Meanwhile, the hormone relaxin loosens muscle ligaments to prepare for childbirth, which can also cause feet to spread and widen.
—Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022
During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes ligaments in preparation for childbirth.
—Ellen O'Connell Whittet, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2021
The placenta also produces a hormone called relaxin, levels of which peak in the first trimester and then right before delivery.
—Garnet Henderson, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2020
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 12 Sep. 2023
That’s because at six weeks, your joints, including your knees and hips, are still feeling the effects of the hormone relaxin, which is produced during pregnancy.
—Tiffany Ayuda, SELF, 6 Oct. 2022
From an athlete’s perspective, an important hormone of note is relaxin, which is produced by the ovaries and the placenta.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
And because relaxin continues to have a strong presence throughout breastfeeding, loose ligaments can persist long after childbirth.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
But like most hormones, relaxin circulates in the blood and can affect all ligaments, not just those associated with pregnancy.
—Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021
Meanwhile, the hormone relaxin loosens muscle ligaments to prepare for childbirth, which can also cause feet to spread and widen.
—Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022
During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes ligaments in preparation for childbirth.
—Ellen O'Connell Whittet, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2021
The placenta also produces a hormone called relaxin, levels of which peak in the first trimester and then right before delivery.
—Garnet Henderson, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relaxin.' 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
1930, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near relaxin
Cite this Entry
“Relaxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relaxin. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
relaxin
noun
re·lax·in
ri-ˈlak-sən
: a polypeptide sex hormone of the corpus luteum that facilitates birth by causing relaxation of the pelvic ligaments
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relaxin
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