pituitary

American  

[pi-too-i-ter-ee, -tyoo-] / pɪˈtu ɪˌtɛr i, -ˈtyu- /

noun

plural

pituitaries

1. pituitary gland.

2. Pharmacology. the extract obtained from the lobes of the pituitary glands of hogs, sheep, and other domestic animals: the posterior lobe constituent increases blood pressure, contracts stomach muscles, etc., and the anterior lobe constituent regulates growth of the skeleton.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving the pituitary gland.

2. noting a physical type of abnormal size with overgrown extremities resulting from excessive pituitary secretion.

pituitary British  

/ -trɪ, pɪˈtjuːɪtərɪ /

noun

1. See pituitary gland pituitary extract

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adjective

1. of or relating to the pituitary gland

2. archaic of or relating to phlegm or mucus

Other Word Forms

• postpituitary adjective
• prepituitary adjective

Etymology

Origin of pituitary

First recorded in 1605–15, pituitary is from the Latin word pītuītārius pertaining to or secreting phlegm. See pip ², -ary

Example Sentences

The Ropinirole that James takes belongs to a family of drugs known as dopamine agonists, which are prescribed for Parkinson's, RLS, pituitary tumours and other conditions.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

The reviewers were particularly concerned with the compound’s potential to harm pregnant women and children, as well as its effect on the pituitary gland.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

There he became interested in a leading problem of the day — that of how the brain controls the pituitary gland, the maestro organ that cues production of the body’s other major glands.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2024

“When we remove the pituitary gland, we don’t know exactly what happens. They become food-oriented — eat, eat. We have to do some behavior modification,” says Owen.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

Spoke of those gradually increasing doses of pituitary administered during the final ninety-six metres of their course.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley