# abscisin

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abscisin
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a chemical substance in plants that helps them drop their leaves and stop growing. It is also used to help fruit ripen and fall from the tree.

For teachers: a plant hormone that regulates abscission, the process by which leaves, flowers, and fruits detach from the plant. It also plays a role in the ripening of fruits and the shedding of leaves.

## Examples

- The plant produces abscisin to help the leaves fall in autumn.
- Farmers often apply synthetic abscisin to accelerate the ripening of fruit before the harvest season begins.
- The signaling pathways involving abscisin are crucial for the plant's response to environmental stress, allowing it to shed unnecessary foliage to conserve water during periods of drought.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.