Hormone

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hormone

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

HAW-mohn  /ˈhɔːməʊn/

Definition

A chemical substance produced and secreted by an endocrine gland or specialised cells in the body, transported in the blood to target organs or tissues, and producing a specific physiological effect; a similar synthetic substance used medically or in agriculture.

Plain meaning

A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by glands in your body — like the thyroid, adrenal glands, or ovaries — that travels through the bloodstream to tell other parts of the body what to do. Hormones control things like growth, metabolism, mood, reproduction, and stress response. Insulin, adrenaline, oestrogen, and testosterone are all hormones.

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Scientific and medical, but widely used in everyday speech. Hormone is standard in biology, medicine, psychology, and everyday contexts. In everyday use it is sometimes associated specifically with emotional and behavioural effects: teenage hormones, stress hormones. The plural hormones is used colloquially to explain emotional volatility or sexual desire.