testosterone

[tes-tos-tuh-rohn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
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.

testosterone

/ tɛˈstɒstəˌrəʊn /

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

testosterone

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 .

testosterone

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of testosterone¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of testosterone¹

C20: from _testis + _sterol + _-one

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There wouldn’t be much reason to worry “about the direction of men,” she observes, “if it were really as predetermined by how much testosterone you have and how much estrogen I have.”