sex hormone

noun

: a steroid hormone (such as estrogen or testosterone) that is produced especially by the ovaries, testes, or adrenal cortex and affects the growth or function of the reproductive organs or the development of secondary sex characteristics

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sex hormone

noun

: a hormone (as estrogen or testosterone) that affects the growth or function of the reproductive organs or the development of secondary sex characteristics

Medical Definition

sex hormone

noun

: a steroid hormone (as estradiol, progesterone, androstenedione, or testosterone) that is produced especially by the ovaries, testes, or adrenal cortex and that exerts estrogenic, progestational, or androgenic activity on the growth or function of the reproductive organs or on the development of secondary sex characteristics