Melatonin is a hormoneA chemical messenger made in the body that affects how organs work. made by the pinealRelating to a small gland deep inside the brain. gland in the brain. It helps control sleep and the body’s day-night rhythmA regular repeated pattern of timing or movement..

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˌmɛləˈtoʊnɪn/

Easy pronunciation: meh-luh-TOH-nin (approximate spelling).

Stress: Primary stress on TOH; secondary stress on the first syllable.

The sleep-regulating hormone, not any other possible use of the word.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Melatonin Meaning

A natural hormone that helps your body know when to sleep.

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A hormone secreted by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep and the body’s internal clock.

Example: She takes melatonin to help her fall asleep on long flights.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• People sometimes think melatonin is a sleeping pill, but it is a hormone.
• Do not confuse melatonin with melanin, which is a different substance related to skin color.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does melatonin mean?

Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep and the body’s daily rhythm.

Is melatonin a synonym for sleep medication?

No. Melatonin is a hormone, though it is also sold in supplement form to help with sleep.

How do you use melatonin in a sentence?

You could say: “I took melatonin before bed to help me relax.”

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.