endogenous

American  

[en-doj-uh-nuhs] / ɛnˈdɒdʒ ə nəs /

adjective

1. proceeding from within; derived internally.

2. Biology. growing or developing from within; originating within.

3. Pathology. (of a disease) resulting from conditions within the organism rather than externally caused.

4. Biochemistry. pertaining to the metabolism of nitrogenous elements of cells and tissues.

5. Geology. endogenetic.

---

endogenous British  

/ ɛnˈdɒdʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. biology developing or originating within an organism or part of an organism

   endogenous rhythms

2. having no apparent external cause

   endogenous depression

---

endogenous Scientific  

/ ĕn-dŏj′ə-nəs /

1. Originating or produced within an organism, tissue, or cell.

2. Compare exogenous

---

Other Word Forms

• endogenicity noun
• endogenously adverb
• endogeny noun

Etymology

Origin of endogenous

First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + -genous

Example Sentences

When we prescribe these drugs to patients whose endogenous GLP-1 system is functioning normally, we are not filling a deficit.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

"We needed a tool to do that exploration to understand which variants are functional in their endogenous genomic context and understand how they contribute to disease progression."

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2025

Economists after Solow, particularly Robert Lucas and Paul Romer, had models of economic growth with endogenous technological change.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

The 30 distinct families of endogenous retroviruses, as that ancient viral DNA is called, in humans each represents a distinct process of colonization.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2025

It is not hereby meant to ignore the fact that differential responses to dominant environmental variables occur within a species, indicating endogenous control over timing of breeding.

From The Breeding Birds of Kansas by Johnston, Richard F.

Related Words

• internal
• remote