endocrinology

1 of 2

noun (1)

en·​do·​cri·​nol·​o·​gy ˌen-də-kri-ˈnä-lə-jē How to pronounce endocrinology (audio)
-ˌkrī-
: a branch of medicine concerned with the structure, function, and disorders of the endocrine glands
endocrinologist
ˌen-də-kri-ˈnä-lə-jist How to pronounce endocrinology (audio)
-ˌkrī-
noun

endocrinologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

en·​do·​cri·​nol·​o·​gist
-ˌkrīˈ-, 
-ˌkrēˈ-
plural -s
: one specializing in endocrinology

Examples of endocrinology 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.
Noun
Scripps La Jolla is ranked 16th in diabetes and endocrinology, 32nd in cardiology and vascular surgery, and 36th in obstetrics and gynecology. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Ranking fifth best in the country were Northwestern’s diabetes and endocrinology and obstetrics and gynecology programs. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Braxton is a professor of medicine and vice chair for research in the division of endocrinology, diabetes, and nutrition at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 6 June 2026 Our expertise spanned various disciplines, including obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, pediatrics, dermatology, radiology, primary care, nutrition science and psychology. — Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for endocrinology

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably borrowed from Italian endocrinologia, from endocrine endocrine entry 1 + -o- -o- + -logia -logy

Note: According to some sources coined by the Italian physician Nicola Pende (1880-1970) in 1909 (e.g., in Garabed Eknoyan, "Emergence of the concept of endocrine function and endocrinology," Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease, vol. 11, no. 4 [October, 2004], p. 375), though without bibliographic citation. Pende used the word in the title of his treatise Endocrinologia: patologia e clinica degli organi a secrezione interna (Milan and Bologna, 1916).

Noun (2)

endocrinology + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of endocrinology was circa 1913

Rhymes for endocrinology

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Browse Nearby Words

endocrinologist
endocrinology
endocrinopath
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endocrinology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endocrinology. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

endocrinology

noun
en·​do·​cri·​nol·​o·​gy ˌen-də-kri-ˈnäl-ə-jē, -ˌkrī- How to pronounce endocrinology (audio)
plural endocrinologies
: a science dealing with the endocrine glands
endocrinologist
-jəst How to pronounce endocrinology (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on endocrinology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about endocrinology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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