Definition of corticosteroid
: any of various steroid hormones (such as cortisol, cortisone, or aldosterone) that are produced by the adrenal cortex (see cortex 1(a)1) from cholesterol;
also
: any of various synthetic derivatives (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) of these steroid hormones that are used as drugs
Note:
Corticosteroids are classified according to their physiological activity as glucocorticoids, which chiefly regulate carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, and mineralocorticoids, which chiefly regulate electrolyte and fluid balance in the body. Androgens (such as androstenedione) are also produced by the adrenal cortex and are sometimes classified as corticosteroids.
