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 However, information on the long-term effects of melatonin use in children is limited and parents are advised to exercise caution. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024 A day care owner and three of her employees have been arrested after allegedly sprinkling melatonin on children's food, police say. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 16 May 2024 Melatonin production: Magnesium helps to produce and maintain melatonin. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2024 There are no major side effects to worry about—melatonin shifts the circadian rhythm with minimal side effects, the Springer article found. Moira Lawler, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2024 That guessing game isn’t great when too much melatonin can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and confusion, among other wack side effects. Ali Finney, SELF, 19 Apr. 2024 Those who experience discomfort relief from CBD and melatonin are also likely to experience better sleep, if only indirectly. Medterra, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 For some, relying on melatonin is key while others opt for a more natural approach. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Similarly, exposure to sunlight in the morning stops melatonin production and bumps up the wake-up hormone cortisol. Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'melatonin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 May. 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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