noun
testosterone
teh-STAH-stuh-rohn/teˈstɑːstərəʊn/
A hormone important in male sexual development.
The labeled vial contains testosterone beside a skeletal-muscle sample.
Etymology
The name uses a presumed combining form of testis, “testicle,” alongside part of sterol and a chemical ending. It thus pairs an anatomical reference with chemical terminology to name the male sex hormone.
In context
hrt which blocks testosterone and increases estrogen in trans women leads to a marked decrease in muscle mass
More examples
- Her doctor orders a blood test to check her testosterone level.
- Women also produce testosterone, but usually in much smaller amounts.
- Doctors sometimes prescribe testosterone to treat a deficiency.
Similar words
- androgen
- Names a broader group of hormones that includes testosterone.