What does androgen mean?
An androgen is any of a class of steroid hormones — testosterone being the best-known example — that stimulate and control the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass, body hair, deepening of the voice, and sperm production. Although often thought of as exclusively 'male' hormones, androgens are present in all bodies: they are produced chiefly by the testes, but also by the ovaries and adrenal glands, and play important roles in women's health as well. In medicine, the word appears frequently in discussions of puberty, polycystic ovary syndrome, acne, prostate cancer, and hormone replacement therapy, and it also extends to synthetic compounds that mimic these hormones' effects. Because it is precise and widely used in clinical settings, androgen is an essential term for anyone reading about endocrinology or human biology, even though it rarely surfaces in casual conversation outside health contexts.
nounAny of a group of steroid hormones, such as testosterone, that promote the development and maintenance of male characteristics in the body.
- A steroid hormone, such as testosterone, that promotes the development and maintenance of male physical characteristics.
- (Broader biomedical use) Any substance, natural or synthetic, with testosterone-like activity in the body.
"Elevated androgen levels can contribute to the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome."
"The doctor ordered blood tests to measure his androgen levels."
"Anti-androgen drugs are sometimes prescribed to treat prostate cancer."
Standard regular plural, used when referring to multiple members of the hormone class or to measurable quantities.
"Both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are naturally occurring androgens."
Every body runs on androgens — women's ovaries produce them too, and without them neither sex would develop normally.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of androgen
The word androgen derives from Greek roots: 'anēr' (genitive 'andros'), meaning man, combined with 'gennan', meaning to produce or generate. It entered scientific English in the early twentieth century, when endocrinologists were first identifying and naming the hormones responsible for masculinization. The same Greek root 'andros' appears in related terms such as 'android', 'polyandry', and 'androgynous', while the '-gen' element recurs in words like 'hydrogen' and 'nitrogen'.
Related word forms
How androgen is actually used
A technical term used mainly in medical, endocrinological, and scientific contexts rather than everyday conversation. It is a countable noun referring to any member of a class of hormones, so it commonly appears in the plural when discussing multiple hormones or measured levels.
Easily confused with androgen
Androgens are the hormones that drive male traits, whereas estrogens are the hormones primarily responsible for female sexual development.
'Androgynous' describes someone or something combining both masculine and feminine qualities, while 'androgen' is the hormone itself.