virilization

noun

vir·​il·​iza·​tion ˌvir-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: the production of male secondary sex characteristics (such as facial hair) in a female

also : the masculinization especially of the urogenital tract of a developing female fetus

Examples of virilization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Certain drugs and health problems can also trigger virilization. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for virilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

virilization

noun

vir·​il·​iza·​tion

variants also British virilisation

ˌvir-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: the production of male secondary sex characteristics (as facial hair) in a female

also : the masculinization especially of the genitourinary tract of a developing female fetus