noun Common

hormone

HAW-mohn

Hormone (noun) means a chemical made by one part of the body and carried in the blood to affect another part. Example: “Adrenaline is a hormone released when we feel stressed or scared.”

noun

A chemical made by one part of the body and carried in the blood to affect another part.

"Adrenaline is a hormone released when we feel stressed or scared."

"Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar."

A synthetic version of such a substance used as medicine.

"She takes hormone medication after her surgery."

How to use hormone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA chemical messenger produced in the body that travels through the blood to control how organs and cells behave.

Common pairings

growth hormone stress hormone hormone levels hormone therapy

Word forms

hormoned past tense, hormones plural, hormones singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Adrenaline is a _____ released when we feel stressed or scared.

Etymology

Coined from Ancient Greek hormon, "setting in motion", the present participle of a verb meaning "to urge on".

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

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chemical messenger endocrine substance

Rhymes for hormone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone stone phone

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hormone” mean?

The word “hormone” means a chemical made by one part of the body and carried in the blood to affect another part. In plain terms, a chemical messenger produced in the body that travels through the blood to control how organs and cells behave.

How do you pronounce “hormone”?

“Hormone” is pronounced HAW-mohn (/ˈhoɹmoʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “hormone” in a sentence?

Here is “hormone” used in a sentence: “Adrenaline is a hormone released when we feel stressed or scared.”

What part of speech is “hormone”?

“Hormone” is a noun.

Where does the word “hormone” come from?

The word “hormone” comes from Ancient Greek. Coined from Ancient Greek hormon, "setting in motion", the present participle of a verb meaning "to urge on".

Is “hormone” a common word?

“Hormone” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “hormone” have?

“Hormone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chemical made by one part of the body and carried in the blood to affect another part.

What is the difference between a hormone and an enzyme?

A hormone is a chemical made by one part of the body and carried in the blood to affect another part, while an enzyme is a protein that speeds up chemical reactions within cells. Hormones act as messengers, whereas enzymes act as catalysts.

What is the difference between a hormone and a neurotransmitter?

A hormone travels through the bloodstream to affect distant parts of the body, while a neurotransmitter carries signals across a tiny gap between nerve cells over a very short distance.

Can hormones be taken as medicine?

Yes. Synthetic versions of hormones are commonly used as medicine, for example in birth control, thyroid treatment, or hormone replacement therapy.

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