corticosteroid

noun

cor·ti·co·ste·roid | \ ˌkȯr-ti-kō-ˈster-ˌȯid, -ˈstir-

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 People on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy and those who are allergic to the drugs or similar medications also shouldn't use them. — Jen Christensen, CNN, 3 May 2022 Kentucky racing officials last week disqualified Medina Spirit as the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, after the colt tested positive for betamethasone, a corticosteroid, in post-race testing. — Jim Chairusmi, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2022 Stewards disqualified Medina Spirit after the horse tested positive for betamethasone, an otherwise legal corticosteroid that is not legal if found in a horse’s blood on race day. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 22 Feb. 2022 People on long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy and those who are allergic to the drugs or similar medications also shouldn't use them. — Jen Christensen, CNN, 16 Dec. 2021 Trained by Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit was the first horse to cross the finish line in last year’s Derby, but tested positive for betamethasone, a corticosteroid, in post-race testing. — Jim Chairusmi, WSJ, 21 Feb. 2022 Baffert later acknowledged treating the horse with a topical ointment containing the corticosteroid for a skin inflammation. — Gary B. Graves, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2022 Even better than a corticosteroid, doctors say, is if the kids don't get Covid-19 in the first place. — Jen Christensen, CNN, 8 Feb. 2022 In severe cases, doctors may prescribe a corticosteroid to reduce respiratory tract inflammation associated with croup. — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2022 See More

These 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.

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Dictionary Entries Near corticosteroid

corticoline

corticosteroid

corticosterone

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Last Updated

8 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Corticosteroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corticosteroid. Accessed 22 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for corticosteroid

corticosteroid

noun

cor·ti·co·ste·roid | \ ˌkȯrt-i-kō-ˈsti(ə)r-ˌȯid also -ˈste(ə)r- \

Medical Definition of corticosteroid

: any of various adrenal-cortex steroids (as corticosterone, cortisone, and aldosterone) that are divided on the basis of their major biological activity into glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids