growth hormone

noun

1

: a vertebrate polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and regulates growth

also : a recombinant version of this hormone

called also somatotropin

2

: growth regulator

Examples of growth hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, zinc improves the release of growth hormone and increases the body’s sensitivity to it. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024

Mehrzad was diagnosed with acromegaly at a young age – a condition causing excess growth hormone. —Ben Morse, CNN, 3 Sep. 2024

Other risk factors include taking certain medications such as tetracycline, excessive vitamin A, tretinoin, steroids and growth hormone. —Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024

Earlier this year, for example, U.K. scientists described dementia and beta amyloid buildup in several people who had received injections of growth hormone from the brains of deceased donors. —science.org, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

growth hormone

noun

: a hormone in plants or animals that regulates growth

especially : one produced by the pituitary gland

Medical Definition

growth hormone

noun

: a vertebrate polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and regulates growth

also : a recombinant version of this hormone

called also somatotropic hormone, somatotropin

see human growth hormone