testosterone

noun

tes·tos·ter·one te-ˈstä-stə-ˌrōn

: a hormone that is a hydroxy steroid ketone C₁₉H₂₈O₂ produced especially by the testes or made synthetically and that is responsible for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characters

: qualities (such as brawn and aggressiveness) usually associated with males : manliness

Examples of testosterone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some researchers suggest that zinc may play a role in BPH in relation to testosterone. —

Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 3 July 2024 Those taking testosterone may suddenly have acne and hair in both standard and unexpected places (The Acne Slayer) or scars from top surgery (Top Surgery Post-Op); facial feminization surgery could have intense swelling or bruising (FFS Post-Op Treatment). —

Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 30 June 2024 The reality is that testosterone levels fluctuate over the course of a person’s life. —

Maya Silver, NPR, 22 June 2024 Low testosterone also can be a trigger for depression. —

Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for testosterone

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'testosterone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Testosteron, from Latin testēs testes + German -o- -o- + -steron -sterone

Note: The name was introduced by the Hungarian pharmacologists Karoly Gyula David (1905-45) and János Freud (1901-48), the Dutch endocrinologist Elisabeth Dingemanse (1886-1952), and the German-born Dutch physician and pharmacologist Ernst Laqueur (1880-1947) (all affiliated with the Pharmaco-Therapeutic Laboratory of the University of Amsterdam) in "Über krystallinisches männliches Hormon aus Hoden (Testosteron), wirksamer als aus Harn oder aus Cholesterin bereitetes Androsteron," Zeitschrift für physiologische Chemie, Band 233 (1935), pp. 281-83.

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of testosterone was in 1935

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Testosterone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testosterone. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

testosterone

noun

tes·tos·ter·one te-ˈstäs-tə-ˌrōn

: a male hormone produced by the testes that causes the development of the male reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

Medical Definition

testosterone

noun

tes·tos·ter·one te-ˈstäs-tə-ˌrōn

: a male hormone that is a crystalline hydroxy steroid ketone C₁₉H₂₈O₂ produced primarily by the testes or made synthetically and that is the main androgen responsible for inducing and maintaining male secondary sex characteristics see androgel, axiron

Last Updated: 9 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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testosterone

noun

Examples of testosterone in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near testosterone

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition