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.
Proteins are made of amino acids and are needed to build and repair tissues and make important compounds like enzymes and hormones. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026 The idea came from the Women's Health Initiative that followed thousands of women in midlife who were taking hormones throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. — Mara Gordon, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026 While excessive unhealthy fat can increase health risks, healthy fats are essential for energy, hormone balance, and heart health. — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026 For decades, they’ve been used to deliver vaccines, insulin, hormone treatments, and other medications through the skin. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of hormone for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hormone

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