zeitgeber

noun

zeit·​ge·​ber ˈtsīt-ˌgā-bər  ˈzīt- 

: an environmental agent or event (such as the occurrence of light or dark) that provides the stimulus setting or resetting a biological clock of an organism

Did you know?

Zeitgebers are alarm clocks—both biologically and etymologically. The word zeitgeber comes from a combination of two German terms: Zeit, meaning “time,” and Geber, which means “giver.” In nature, zeitgebers tend to be cyclic or recurring patterns that help keep the body’s circadian rhythms operating in an orderly way. For earthlings of all kinds, the daily pattern of light and darkness and the warmer and colder temperatures between day and night serve as zeitgebers, cues that keep organisms functioning on a regular schedule—consider how the changing ratio of day to night in spring serves as a trigger for critters such as birds and spring peepers to sing their mating songs. For humans, societally imposed cycles, such as the schedule of the work or school day and regular mealtimes, can become zeitgebers as well. What you sing is up to you, however.

Examples of zeitgeber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Light is our key zeitgeber, I.e; the factor to control the circadian rhythm. —Noma Nazish, Forbes, 23 June 2021

These clocks are wound by various environmental cues known as zeitgebers (time givers), such as light and temperature. —Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian, 22 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

German, from Zeit time + Geber giver

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

zeitgeber

noun

zeit·​ge·​ber ˈtsīt-ˌgā-bər  ˈzīt- 

: an environmental agent or event (as the occurrence of light or dark) that provides the stimulus setting or resetting a biological clock of an organism