# exogenous

/ˌɛkˈsoʊdʒənəs/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exogenous
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

coming from outside a system or organism. In medicine, it describes things like drugs that enter the body from the outside.

For teachers: originating or produced from an external source. In pharmacology, it refers to substances that are administered from outside the body, as opposed to being produced internally.

## Examples

- The doctor explained that the medicine is exogenous.
- The patient's symptoms were caused by an exogenous substance rather than a problem with their own body chemistry.
- While the body can produce certain hormones internally, exogenous sources like dietary supplements or synthetic medications are often required to maintain specific therapeutic levels in the bloodstream.

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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.