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.
The new study highlights that drinking coffee in the afternoon can disrupt circadian rhythms, which reduces melatonin production. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 18 Jan. 2025 Authorities have accused the women of giving excessive amounts of medication to children at the day care, dosing them with Benadryl and melatonin before their naps. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 They’re packed with tyramine and histamines, which interfere with melatonin production—your body’s natural sleep hormone. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Researchers believe magnesium may play a small role in the natural creation of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 21 Jan. 2025 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 11 Feb. 2025.

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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