corticosterone

noun

cor·​ti·​co·​ste·​rone ˌkȯr-tə-ˈkä-stə-ˌrōn 

-ti-kō-stə-ˈrōn;

ˌkȯr-ti-kō-ˈstir-ˌōn, 

-ˈster-

: a colorless crystalline corticosteroid C₂₁H₃₀O₄ that is important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism

Examples of corticosterone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

McLaughlin and colleagues compared the rat corticosterone to cannabis use, and saw a clear uptick in nose-pokes for the animals with higher levels of the hormone. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 Dec. 2025

The main hormone involved in the stress response – cortisol in humans and corticosterone in rodents, both abbreviated to CORT – is primarily a metabolic hormone, meaning that increasing blood levels of these hormones during stressful conditions results in more energy mobilized from fat stores. —Natalie C. Tronson, The Conversation, 24 June 2024

Depression is linked with an increase in corticosterone levels. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2022

For example, if one nestling is given corticosterone, did all its siblings’ babbling increase? —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for corticosterone

• amiodarone
• phenylbutazone
• spironolactone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone

Medical Definition

corticosterone

noun

cor·​ti·​co·​ste·​rone ˌkȯrt-ə-ˈkäs-tə-ˌrōn, -i-kō-stə-ˈ; ˌkȯrt-i-kō-ˈsti(ə)r-ˌōn, -ˈste(ə)r- 

: a colorless crystalline corticosteroid C₂₁H₃₀O₄ of the adrenal cortex that is important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism