exogenous

adjective

ex·​og·​e·​nous ek-ˈsä-jə-nəs 

1

: produced by growth from superficial tissue

exogenous roots produced by leaves

2

a

: caused by factors (such as food or a traumatic factor) or an agent (such as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system

exogenous obesity

exogenous psychic depression

exogenous market fluctuations

b

: introduced from or produced outside the organism or system

specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system

exogenously adverb

Examples of exogenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the MLB commissioner's office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

The discipline followed Profar testing positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. —Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has received a 162-game suspension after testing positive for exogenous testosterone. —Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 4 Mar. 2026

An 'exogenous shock' from tariffs. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French exogène exogenous, from exo- + -gène (from Greek -genēs born) — more at -gen

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

exogenous

adjective

ex·​og·​e·​nous ek-ˈsäj-ə-nəs 

variants also exogenic

ˌek-sō-ˈjen-ik 

1

: growing from or on the outside

exogenous spores

2

: caused by factors (as food or a traumatic event) or an agent (as a disease-producing organism) from outside the organism or system

exogenous obesity

exogenous depression

3

: introduced from or produced outside the organism or system

specifically : not synthesized within the organism or system compare endogenous

exogenously adverb