glucocorticoid
noun
glu·co·cor·ti·coid
ˌglü-kō-ˈkȯr-ti-ˌkȯid 
: any of a group of corticosteroids (such as cortisol) that are involved especially in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, that are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, and that are used widely in medicine (as to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis) compare mineralocorticoid
Examples of glucocorticoid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The risky treatments included intravenous antibiotics and hefty doses of glucocorticoids.
—
ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
The medications included intravenous antibiotics and hefty doses of glucocorticoids.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
This enzyme helps regulate how fat tissue responds to glucocorticoids (a type of catabolic hormone).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Glucocorticoid injection: If more conservative methods aren't working for carpal tunnel syndrome, healthcare providers may administer injections of glucocorticoids—a type of steroid—to the affected joints to reduce swelling.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Feb. 2025
Treatment with atypical antipsychotics, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications, or glucocorticoids.
—Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025
Because the one thing actually worse for your liver than alcohol is alcohol with this new class of glucocorticoids.
—Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Additional measures include correcting hypercalcemia using loop diuretics, bisphosphonates, glucocorticoids, or calcitonin (bone hormone drug), and renal replacement therapies if the kidneys have been affected.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
Steroid use and misuse can cause fluctuations in hormones—for example, higher testosterone due to anabolic steroids or Addison's disease (when the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones like cortisol and aldosterone) due to glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone).
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 12 Sep. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
The medications included intravenous antibiotics and hefty doses of glucocorticoids.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
This enzyme helps regulate how fat tissue responds to glucocorticoids (a type of catabolic hormone).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Glucocorticoid injection: If more conservative methods aren't working for carpal tunnel syndrome, healthcare providers may administer injections of glucocorticoids—a type of steroid—to the affected joints to reduce swelling.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 13 Feb. 2025
Treatment with atypical antipsychotics, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications, or glucocorticoids.
—Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025
Because the one thing actually worse for your liver than alcohol is alcohol with this new class of glucocorticoids.
—Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Additional measures include correcting hypercalcemia using loop diuretics, bisphosphonates, glucocorticoids, or calcitonin (bone hormone drug), and renal replacement therapies if the kidneys have been affected.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
Steroid use and misuse can cause fluctuations in hormones—for example, higher testosterone due to anabolic steroids or Addison's disease (when the adrenal glands don't produce enough hormones like cortisol and aldosterone) due to glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone).
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 12 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Glucocorticoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glucocorticoid. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
glucocorticoid
noun
glu·co·cor·ti·coid
-ˈkȯrt-i-ˌkȯid
: any of a group of corticosteroids (as cortisol or dexamethasone) that are involved especially in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, that tend to increase liver glycogen and blood sugar by increasing gluconeogenesis, that are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, and that are used widely in medicine (as in the alleviation of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis) compare mineralocorticoid
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share