English Reference

Word

endocrine

Phoneticsen·docrine

US/ˈɛndoʊˌkɹaɪn/

UK/ˈɛndəʊkɹˌaɪn/

Definition

adj. relating to the system of glands in your body that make hormones. These hormones travel through your blood to help control things like growth and energy.

adj. relating to the system of glands that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to regulate physiological activities. Typically used to describe the glands themselves or the chemical signaling process.

Examples

“The thyroid is a major endocrine gland.”

“Doctors often run blood tests to check if a patient's endocrine system is producing the right amount of insulin.”

“Environmental toxins can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the delicate hormonal balance required for healthy metabolic function and reproductive development.”

Examples

simple

“The thyroid is a major endocrine gland.”

contextual

“Doctors often run blood tests to check if a patient's endocrine system is producing the right amount of insulin.”

complex

“Environmental toxins can act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the delicate hormonal balance required for healthy metabolic function and reproductive development.”

Usage

Primarily used as an attributive adjective preceding a noun.

Real-World Examples

“In terms of coping, simply being aware of these changes is valuable – it lets you protect yourself during the periods when your endocrine system is affected most.”
The Guardian · 22 Aug 2026
“It plays a role in regulating blood pressure, heart rate, the central nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine system.”
ScienceDaily · 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French endocrine, from endo- + Ancient Greek κρίνω (krínō, “to separate, also to secrete”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference