plant hormone

noun

Definition of plant hormone

: 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

By studying natural variations in root structure and the genetics associated with these variations, the team homed in on a previously unknown biological pathway that regulates auxin, a plant hormone that helps control root growth. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Salk Institute scientists get to the root of plant growth," 11 July 2019 Among the renitent was Ted Farmer, then a postdoc in the Washington State University lab of renowned plant hormone expert Clarence Ryan. Quanta Magazine, "The Secret Language of Plants," 16 Dec. 2013 The onset of vernalization, or dormancy, is triggered by a plant hormone, then fruit-bearing vines, trees and canes begin to rest. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Despite mild winter, Treasure Valley fruit trees likely are doing OK | Idaho Statesman," 21 Feb. 2018 The idea that plant hormones—such as genistein, the primary phytoestrogen in soy—can interfere with mammalian development is not new. Deborah Blum, Slate Magazine, "Are We Experimenting on Our Children With Soy Formula?," 3 Aug. 2017 That cantaloupe is sensitive to ethylene, a gas that acts as a plant hormone to regulate growth and development. Debbie Arrington, sacbee, "Wonder why cantaloupes don’t smell like they used to?," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plant hormone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plant hormone

1932, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for plant hormone

plant hormone

noun
\ ˈplant- How to pronounce plant hormone (audio) \

Medical Definition of plant hormone

: 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