gibberellic acid

noun

gib·​ber·​el·​lic acid ˌji-bə-ˈre-lik- How to pronounce gibberellic acid (audio)
: a crystalline acid C19H22O6 that is a gibberellin used especially in the malting of barley

Examples of gibberellic acid 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.
Shifting goals have precipitated new (and expensive) methods: Carbon dioxide and gibberellic acid are being used as growth stimulants; some pumpkins are fully grown in greenhouses. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2024 In particular, gibberellic acid, or GA, a natural hormone, stimulates both cell growth and cell elongation. Daniel Leonard, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gibberellic acid was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near gibberellic acid

Cite this Entry

“Gibberellic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gibberellic%20acid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on gibberellic acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!