definitions
  • synonyms

androgen

[ an-druh-juh n, -jen ]
/ ˈæn drə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /
|

noun Biochemistry.

any substance, as testosterone or androsterone, that promotes male characteristics.

Nearby words

androconium, androcracy, androcratic, androdioecious, androecium, androgen, androgenic, androgenic hormone, androgenize, androgenous, androgeus

Origin of androgen

First recorded in 1935–40; andro- + -gen
Related formsan·dro·gen·ic [an-druh-jen-ik] /ˌæn drəˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for androgen

  • And androgen insensitivity syndrome,  which can cause people born with XY chromosomes (male typical) to appear feminine.

    Don't Call Them Hermaphrodites|Joseph Huff-Hannon|September 16, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for androgen

androgen

/ (ˈændrədʒən) /

noun

any of several steroids, produced as hormones by the testes or made synthetically, that promote development of male sexual organs and male secondary sexual characteristics
Derived Formsandrogenic (ˌændrəˈdʒɛnɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for androgen

androgen

n.

male sex hormone, 1936, from andro- + -gen.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for androgen

androgen

[ ăn′drə-jən ]

n.

A steroid, such as testosterone or androsterone, that controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.androgenic hormone
Related formsan′dro•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for androgen

androgen

[ ăn′drə-jən ]

Any of several steroid hormones, especially testosterone, that regulate the growth, development, and function of the male reproductive system. The testes are the main source of bodily androgens.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.