exogenous

[ ek-soj-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. originating from outside; derived externally.
2. Botany.
   1. (of plants, as the dicotyledons) having stems that grow by the addition of an annual layer of wood to the outside beneath the bark.
   2. pertaining to plants having such stems.
   3. belonging to the exogens.
3. Pathology. (of a disease) externally caused rather than resulting from conditions within the organism.
4. Biochemistry. of or noting the metabolic assimilation of proteins or other metabolites, the elimination of nitrogenous catabolites being in direct proportion to the amount of metabolites taken in.
5. Geology. exogenetic ( def 1 ).

exogenous

/ ɛkˈsɒdʒɪnəs /

adjective

1. having an external origin
2. biology
   1. developing or originating outside an organism or part of an organism
   2. of or relating to external factors, such as light, that influence an organism
3. psychiatry (of a mental illness) caused by external factors

exogenous

/ ĕk-sŏj′ə-nəs /

1. Originating or produced from outside an organism, tissue, or cell.
2. Compare endogenous

Derived Forms

• exˈogenously, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·oge·nism noun
• ex·oge·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exogenous¹

First recorded in 1820–30; exo- + -gen + -ous

Example Sentences

"I feel like there's all of these tropes that we hear 'don't avocado toast' and there are exogenous factors that are actually making it impossible for people to buy homes and live the American Dream."

From Salon

The skin serves as a barrier that restricts the penetration of particles and protects against exogenous threats.

From Science Daily

"Absent any exogenous shocks, the Fed is increasingly likely to be in a position to cut rates in the second quarter of 2024."

From Reuters

The economy will keep going in a "pretty good way" unless there is a policy mistake or exogenous shock, he added, speaking at an event at the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive think tank.

From Reuters

“So I don’t think that this should be in any way construed as bad timing or the consequence of any exogenous factors.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• exogenic
• external