melatonin

noun

mel·​a·​to·​nin ˌme-lə-ˈtō-nən How to pronounce melatonin (audio)
: a vertebrate hormone that is derived from serotonin, is secreted by the pineal gland especially in response to darkness, and has been linked to the regulation of circadian rhythms

Examples of melatonin 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.
But what is the best time to take a melatonin supplement for a good rest? Michael Franco, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024 These moms produced far less melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate their cycles of sleep and wakefulness, and this may have helped delay the timing of births. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 This supplement contains only melatonin as an active ingredient. Melissa Nieves, Health, 13 Sep. 2024 That, says Cai, is because the release of the sleep hormone melatonin changes, occurring later in the evening. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for melatonin 

Word History

Etymology

mela-, extracted from Greek melan-, mélās "black, dark" + -tonin (in serotonin); so named because the hormone can lighten skin color in animals by reversing the effect of melanocyte-stimulating hormones — more at melano-

Note: The word was probably introduced in the first published description of the hormone's isolation: Aaron B. Lerner, et al., "Isolation of melatonin, the pineal gland factor that lightens melanocytes," Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 80, no. 10 (May 20, 1958), p. 2587.

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of melatonin was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near melatonin

Cite this Entry

“Melatonin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melatonin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

melatonin

noun
mel·​a·​to·​nin ˌmel-ə-ˈtō-nən How to pronounce melatonin (audio)
: a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland especially in response to darkness and has been linked to the regulation of bodily functions or activities (as sleep) that occur in approximately 24 hour cycles

Medical Definition

melatonin

noun
mel·​a·​to·​nin ˌmel-ə-ˈtō-nən How to pronounce melatonin (audio)
: a vertebrate hormone C13H16N2O2 that is derived from serotonin, is secreted by the pineal gland especially in response to darkness, and has been linked to the regulation of circadian rhythms

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