estrogen
noun
es·tro·gen
ˈe-strə-jən 
: any of various natural steroids (such as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system
also
: any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (such as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens
Examples of estrogen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hormones such as estrogen and thyroid hormone are chemical messengers that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction and many other essential functions through the endocrine system.
—
Brad Reisfeld,
The Conversation,
6 July 2026
According to the outlet, Howlett said she and Julie Howlett had been married for four years and were both transitioning to female while taking estrogen and progesterone.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
It has been thought that hormone-replacement therapy puts women at risk for breast cancer, but newer data suggests that this is not necessarily true, and one form of estrogen seems to be associated with a decrease in breast cancer.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
IUDs are also an option, as well as therapies that combine estrogen with progestin, such as pills or patches.
—
Cathy Nelson,
Health,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for estrogen
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Brad Reisfeld,
The Conversation,
6 July 2026
According to the outlet, Howlett said she and Julie Howlett had been married for four years and were both transitioning to female while taking estrogen and progesterone.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
It has been thought that hormone-replacement therapy puts women at risk for breast cancer, but newer data suggests that this is not necessarily true, and one form of estrogen seems to be associated with a decrease in breast cancer.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
IUDs are also an option, as well as therapies that combine estrogen with progestin, such as pills or patches.
—
Cathy Nelson,
Health,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for estrogen
Cite this Entry
“Estrogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estrogen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
estrogen
noun
es·tro·gen
ˈes-trə-jən
: a substance that tends to cause the development of secondary sex characteristics in the female and promote the growth and normal functioning of the female reproductive system
estrogenic
adjective
ˌes-trə-ˈjen-ik
Medical Definition
estrogen
noun
es·tro·gen
ˈes-trə-jən
variants
or chiefly British oestrogen
: any of various natural steroids (as estradiol) that are formed from androgen precursors, that are secreted chiefly by the ovaries, placenta, adipose tissue, and testes, and that stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics and promote the growth and maintenance of the female reproductive system
also
: any of various synthetic or semisynthetic steroids (as ethinyl estradiol) that mimic the physiological effect of natural estrogens
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