: a polypeptide neurohormone that is found especially in the hypothalamus and inhibits the secretion of several other hormones (such as growth hormone, insulin, and gastrin)

Examples of somatostatin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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These peptides specifically bind to target receptors on cancer cells — PSMA in the case of prostate cancer, and somatostatin receptors in the case of Lutathera — and deliver radiation through the decay of unstable lutetium. Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024 These peptides specifically bind to target receptors on cancer cells—PSMA in the case of prostate cancer and somatostatin receptors in the case of Lutathera—and deliver radiation through the decay of unstable lutetium. Elie Dolgin, Ars Technica, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

somat- + Latin status (past participle of sistere to halt, cause to stand) + English -in entry 1; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of somatostatin was in 1973

Cite this Entry

“Somatostatin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somatostatin. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

somatostatin

noun
: a polypeptide neurohormone that is found especially in the hypothalamus, is composed of a chain of 14 amino acid residues, and inhibits the secretion of several other hormones (as growth hormone, insulin, and gastrin)

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