n.
- A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth or metabolism.
- A synthetic compound that acts like a hormone in the body.
- Any of various similar substances found in plants and insects that regulate development.
[From Greek hormōn, present participle of hormān, to urge on, from hormē, impulse.]
hormonal hor·mon'al (-mō'nəl) or hor·mon'ic (-mŏn'ĭk) adj.hormonally hor·mon'al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
