<p>Lipoxygenases (LOX) are enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, generating oxylipins that play a crucial role in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to stress. In cereal crops, LOX activity is closely associated with tolerance to various abiotic stressors, including drought, salinity, heavy metal exposure, temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet radiation, and high light intensity. Recent evidence indicates that the LOX pathway performs not only damaging but also signalling functions, actively participating in plant adaptation mechanisms. This review proposes a new perspective, viewing LOX not merely as an indicator of cellular damage but as a key regulator of signalling networks that coordinate the plant’s transition from stress to adaptation. LOX is considered part of an integrated system of signal perception and transduction that links cellular redox status, hormonal signalling (jasmonates, abscisic acid, ethylene), and the expression of defense-related genes. This approach offers promising opportunities for targeted regulation of LOX activity in breeding programmes aimed at enhancing cereal resistance to environmental stresses and pollution. Furthermore, understanding the roles of specific LOX isoforms and their genetic control could enable the use of LOX genes as molecular markers in the selection of new stress-tolerant genotypes. Identifying LOX alleles associated with efficient oxidative status regulation and activation of defense cascades will facilitate the development of cultivars capable of faster adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. Integrating LOX-based markers into modern genomic and biotechnological breeding strategies thus represents a significant step towards developing resilient and high-yielding cereal crops for the future.</p>