corticosteroid
noun
\
Definition of corticosteroid
: any of various steroid hormones (such as cortisol, cortisone, or aldosterone) that are produced by the adrenal cortex (see cortex sense 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.
Examples of corticosteroid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To treat atopic dermatitis, experts will often recommend topical corticosteroids to battle inflammation, the Mayo Clinic says, but these can be too strong on your delicate eyelid skin. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Here’s Exactly What to Do About Eczema on Your Eyelid," 3 July 2018 Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream, ointment, or oral medication to help keep inflammation and itching at bay during flare-ups, the Mayo Clinic says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "What Causes Eczema, Anyway?," 13 July 2018 During an actual flare, your doctor might recommend certain medications to help control itching and repair your skin, including a corticosteroid cream or ointment, the Mayo Clinic says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "6 Eczema Symptoms You Should Bring Up With Your Derm," 15 June 2018 Zilretta, which received Food and Drug Administration approval in October, treats pain as a corticosteroid is gradually released from tiny globes known as microspheres. — Brian Gormley, WSJ, "The Heated Quest for Opioid Alternatives," 25 May 2018 Lobotomies for ulcerative colitis, and for mental illness, were halted in the late 1950s because of outrage at the barbarity of the procedure and the emergence of new drugs — antipsychotics for mental illness and corticosteroids for colitis. — Jim Carrier, STAT, "Lobotomies were once used to treat this gut disease, part of a shameful medical history," 12 June 2018 But when given the standard treatments for an asthma attack, which included oral corticosteroids and inhaled bronchodilators, 19 failed to respond to their medications. — Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, "Flu shots go a long way to keep kids with asthma out of the emergency room, study says," 4 June 2018 Following the accident, my doctor began administering facet injections, a combination of corticosteroids and local numbing agents, which provided long-term pain relief lasting from four to six months. — Sarah Wilson As Told To Maria Carter, Woman's Day, "I Trusted My Doctor—Until I Became Addicted to Prescription Painkillers," 22 Apr. 2016 After trying more than two dozen medications, a crazy sounding diet, and corticosteroids that made Sam look like a cancer patient, Epidiolex—which didn’t even have a name when Sam tried it—was truly our last option to help him. — Fred Vogelstein, WIRED, "My Son Pioneered an Epilepsy Drug Derived From Marijuana. An FDA Panel Just Approved It," 20 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'corticosteroid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on corticosteroid
What made you want to look up corticosteroid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Difficult Vocab Quiz
-
- Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share corticosteroid
Resources for corticosteroid