testosterone

noun

tes·​tos·​ter·​one te-ˈstä-stə-ˌrōn 

1

: a hormone that is a hydroxy steroid ketone C₁₉H₂₈O₂ produced especially by the testes or made synthetically and that is responsible for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characters

2

: qualities (such as brawn and aggressiveness) usually associated with males : manliness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike track and field, transgender women would not have to lower their testosterone levels to become eligible. —Jeré Longman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2023

As recently as 20 years ago, even men ages 15 to 39 had testosterone levels that were 20 percent higher. —Andrew Zaleski, Men's Health, 20 Feb. 2023

And, as is expected, my testosterone levels are almost at 0. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2023

The rule follows the International Surfing Association's policy that dictates that transgender women may compete in the female category if their testosterone level is less than a certain amount for 12 months. —Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2023

Some transgender men and nonbinary people opt for testosterone treatments. —Laken Brooks, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021

Clinical studies have shown that eating soy does not reduce sperm count or lower testosterone levels. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 27 Jan. 2023

Physical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and low testosterone levels can all contribute to ED. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2023

Worrying effects may include behavioral problems and lower testosterone levels in boys and lower thyroid hormone levels and preterm births for women. —A. J. Jacobs, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Testosteron, from Latin testēs testes + German -o- -o-- + -steron -sterone

Note: The name was introduced by the Hungarian pharmacologists Karoly Gyula David (1905-45) and János Freud (1901-48), the Dutch endocrinologist Elisabeth Dingemanse (1886-1952), and the German-born Dutch physician and pharmacologist Ernst Laqueur (1880-1947) (all affiliated with the Pharmaco-Therapeutic Laboratory of the University of Amsterdam) in "Über krystallinisches männliches Hormon aus Hoden (Testosteron), wirksamer als aus Harn oder aus Cholesterin bereitetes Androsteron," Zeitschrift für physiologische Chemie, Band 233 (1935), pp. 281-83

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

testosterone

noun

tes·​tos·​ter·​one te-ˈstäs-tə-ˌrōn 

: a male hormone produced by the testes that causes the development of the male reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

Medical Definition

testosterone

noun

tes·​tos·​ter·​one te-ˈstäs-tə-ˌrōn 

: a male hormone that is a crystalline hydroxy steroid ketone C₁₉H₂₈O₂ produced primarily by the testes or made synthetically and that is the main androgen responsible for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characteristics see androgel, axiron