hormone

noun

hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
1
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (such as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually remote from its point of origin
also : a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
: sex hormone
hormonelike
ˈhȯr-ˌmōn-ˌlīk How to pronounce hormone (audio)
adjective

Examples of hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While most of us are capable of lifting weights or heading outside for a brisk walk each day, not everyone is so fortunate, leading researchers to consider other ways to encourage muscles to produce plenty of hormones. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Estradiol transdermal patches, which deliver the estrogen hormone directly into the bloodstream, are used to ease menopause symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances. — Sriparna Roy, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Vagal tone stimulation activates the vagus nerve to slow heart rate and lower stress hormones. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 Alcohol alters levels of hormones, including estrogen, a key reason for the link between drinking and breast cancer. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hormone

Word History

Etymology

Greek hormōn, present participle of horman to stir up, from hormē impulse, assault; akin to Greek ornynai to rouse — more at rise

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hormone was in 1905

Phrases Containing hormone

Rhymes for hormone

See All Rhymes for hormone

Browse Nearby Words

hormonal
hormone
hormonelike
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hormone. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific and often stimulating effect on cells usually at a distance from the place where it is made

Medical Definition

hormone

noun
hor·​mone ˈhȯr-ˌmōn How to pronounce hormone (audio)
1
a
: a product of living cells that circulates in body fluids (as blood) or sap and produces a specific often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells usually a distance from its point of synthesis
Some people develop insulin resistance, a condition in which response to the hormone is muted and the body must produce excess insulin to maintain healthy blood-glucose concentrations.—Ben Harder, Science News
b
: a synthetic substance that acts like a hormone
2
: sex hormone
I discovered I had the classic signs of perimenopause, the prelude to "the change" when hormones yo-yo before menstrual periods cease altogether …—Beth Witrogen McLeod, Cooking Light
hormonelike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce hormone (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hormone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hormone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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