melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun

: any of several vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells

Examples of melanocyte-stimulating hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Instead of drilling and filling, a gel containing the peptide melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) could let teeth grow back from within! Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2010 Johnson thought the most likely mechanism would be melanocytes—skin cells that contain pigment—and another hormone known as MSH, or melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 July 2022 During pregnancy, there even appear to be higher levels of what’s known as melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Korin Miller, SELF, 27 Aug. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of melanocyte-stimulating hormone was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near melanocyte-stimulating hormone

melanocyte

melanocyte-stimulating hormone

melanoderm

Cite this Entry

“Melanocyte-stimulating hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanocyte-stimulating%20hormone. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

melanocyte-stimulating hormone

noun
: either of two vertebrate hormones of the pituitary gland that darken the skin by stimulating melanin dispersion in pigment-containing cells
abbreviation MSH

called also intermedin, melanophore-stimulating hormone, melanotropin

More from Merriam-Webster on melanocyte-stimulating hormone

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!