plant hormone

noun

: an organic substance other than a nutrient that in minute amounts modifies a plant physiological process
especially : one produced by a plant and active elsewhere than at the site of production

Examples of plant hormone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some even produce plant hormones. — Anna Marija Helt, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2025 Ethylene is a plant hormone that triggers fruit to ripen, according to Deering. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026 Encourage monopodial orchids to make a keiki with a liquid plant hormone called keiki cloning paste. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2026 When cold treatment is cut short, the development of plant hormones that regulate flower height is disrupted as well. — Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plant hormone

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plant hormone was in 1932

Rhymes for plant hormone

See All Rhymes for plant hormone

Browse Nearby Words

plant hopper
plant hormone
plant house
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Cite this Entry

“Plant hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plant%20hormone. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plant hormone

noun
: a substance other than food that in small amounts changes one of the life processes of a plant
especially : one made by the plant itself and acting somewhere other than at the site where it is produced

Medical Definition

plant hormone

noun
ˈplant- How to pronounce plant hormone (audio)
: an organic substance other than a nutrient that in minute amounts modifies a plant physiological process
especially : one produced by a plant and active elsewhere than at the site of production

called also phytohormone

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