testosterone

American  

[tes-tos-tuh-rohn] / tɛsˈtɒs təˌroʊn /

noun

• testosterones
  plural

1. Biochemistry. the sex hormone C 19 H 28 O 2 , secreted by the testes, that stimulates the development of male sexual organs, secondary sexual traits, and sperm.

2. Pharmacology. a commercially prepared form of the sex hormone C 19 H 28 O 2 , originally isolated from bull's testes and now also produced synthetically, used in medicine chiefly for treatment of testosterone deficiency and for certain gynecological conditions.

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testosterone British  

/ tɛˈstɒstəˌrəʊn /

noun

1. a potent steroid hormone secreted mainly by the testes. It can be extracted from the testes of animals or synthesized and used to treat androgen deficiency or promote anabolism. Formula: C 19 H 28 O 2

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testosterone Scientific  

/ tĕs-tŏs′tə-rōn′ /

1. A steroid hormone that is the most potent naturally occurring androgen and that regulates the development of the male reproductive system and male secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is produced mainly in the testes and is also used as a drug in the treatment of certain medical disorders. Chemical formula: C ₁₉ H ₂₈ O ₂ .

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testosterone Cultural  

1. A male hormone that governs secondary sex characteristics. It is produced in the testes.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• testosterones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of testosterone

First recorded in 1930–35; testo- (combining form of testis ) + ster(ol) + -one

Explanation

Testosterone is a hormone made in the testes in males and in the ovaries in females. Testosterone is generally found in greater amounts in males, where it aids in the development of the male sex organs and sperm. The word testosterone was coined in the 1930s. It is based on the Latin word testis, which means testicle, and the word sterol, meaning steroid. Because it is the hormone that develops male characteristics, the word testosterone sometimes refers to the quality of being male. A room crowded with men watching football is commonly described as being "full of testosterone."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

testosterone testosterones

Still, even with testosterone in the spotlight, it can be difficult for those who need it to access treatment for a true deficiency.

From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026

For him and other urologists, that’s testosterone deficiency, which can be catastrophic for men of all ages.

From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026

But for the vast majority of men in their 20s, testosterone therapy is unnecessary.

From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026

So, arbitrarily boosting testosterone is not good for young men without deficiencies.

From Slate ● Sep. 13, 2026

The Box had the highest testosterone level in the prison, and somehow smelled like it—close, musty, with an acrid whiff of perspiration.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

That same study also found that 16.5 percent of elite male athletes had testosterones levels that fell below the "typical" range for men.

From The Verge ● May 22, 2015