Dictionary.com
definitions

testosterone

[tes-tos-tuh-rohn]
|

noun

Biochemistry. the sex hormone, C19H28O2, secreted by the testes, that stimulates the development of male sex organs, secondary sexual traits, and sperm.
Pharmacology. a commercially prepared form of this compound, 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.

RELATED CONTENT

chemical castration
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
soyboy
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Origin of testosterone

1930–35; testo- (combining form of testis) + ster(ol) + -one
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for testosterone

Contemporary Examples of testosterone

Historical Examples of testosterone

  • "We've managed to get some testosterone from a blond homunculus," he reported.

    The Sky Is Falling

    Lester del Rey

British Dictionary definitions for testosterone

testosterone

noun

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

Word Origin for testosterone

C20: from testis + sterol + -one
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 testosterone
n.

male sex hormone, 1935, from German Testosteron (1935), coined from a presumed comb. form of Latin testis "testicle" (see testis) + ster(ol) (see steroid) + chemical ending -one.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for testosterone

testosterone

[tĕs-tŏs′tə-rōn′]

n.

A steroid hormone and the most potent naturally occurring androgen that is formed by the interstitial cells of the testes, and possibly by the ovary and adrenal cortex, may be produced in nonglandular tissues from precursors such as androstenedione, and is used in the treatment of hypogonadism, cryptorchism, carcinomas, and menorrhagia.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for testosterone

testosterone

[tĕs-tŏs′tə-rōn′]

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: C19H28O2.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for testosterone

testosterone

[(tes-tos-tuh-rohn)]

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.