Meaning & use
oxytocin
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablemedicalbiology
A hormone made in the brain that helps trigger labor contractions and milk flow, and is linked to trust, bonding and affection.
Grammar: Used without an or the: oxytocin is released during touch.
Patterns
- release of oxytocin
- oxytocin levels
Oxytocin levels rise in a mother's body when she holds her newborn.
Some studies suggest that hugging a friend triggers a small release of oxytocin.
Doctors may give oxytocin to help start labor when a pregnancy goes past its due date.
noununcountablemedical
A synthetic version of this hormone, given as a medicine to induce childbirth or control bleeding afterward.
Grammar: Often appears with verbs like administer or inject.
Patterns
- administer oxytocin
- oxytocin injection
The midwife administered oxytocin to slow the bleeding after the birth.
An oxytocin drip can be used to strengthen contractions.
The hospital stocks oxytocin in its delivery ward.
Common combinations
- release oxytocin
- The body releases oxytocin during breastfeeding.
- oxytocin level
- Researchers measured each volunteer's oxytocin level before the test.
- oxytocin injection
- She received an oxytocin injection after the delivery.
- oxytocin surge
- A hug can cause a small oxytocin surge.
- the hormone oxytocin
- The hormone oxytocin plays a part in social bonding.
Synonyms and how they differ
- love hormone
- Love hormone is a casual media nickname and oversimplifies, whereas oxytocin is the precise scientific name.
- cuddle hormone
- Cuddle hormone is a playful popular label that stresses physical affection, while oxytocin also covers childbirth and milk release.
Word family
- oxytocic adjective
- describing a substance that speeds up childbirth
- hormone noun
- a chemical messenger made by the body
- hormonal adjective
- relating to hormones
Commonly confused: oxytocin or oxycodone? oxytocin or vasopressin?
oxytocin vs oxycodone
Oxycodone is a strong opioid painkiller, while oxytocin is a natural hormone. The similar start makes them easy to mix up.
oxytocin vs vasopressin
Vasopressin is a related hormone that mainly controls water balance in the body, rather than labor and bonding.
Practice
Which statement about oxytocin is most accurate?
Choose one answer.
Oxytocin is a hormone linked to labor, milk release and bonding. The painkiller option describes something like oxycodone, a word that looks similar.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “oxytocin”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.