prostaglandin

noun

pros·ta·glan·din ˌprä-stə-ˈglan-dən

: any of various oxygenated unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals that are formed chiefly by the action of cyclooxygenase on arachidonic acid and perform a variety of hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In an article in The New York Times, Jen Gunter, MD, gynaecologist, said that taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen shortly before your period is about to start, can reduce diarrhoea; the meds block prostaglandin production. —

Mirel Zaman, refinery29.com, 9 Mar. 2021 Several of these compounds, such as prostaglandins, are known to trigger sickness behaviors. —

Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 8 Mar. 2023 Healy says to avoid hormone ingredients, sometimes listed as prostaglandins. —

Jesa Marie Calaor, ELLE, 7 Mar. 2023 Ibuprofen, like all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin, works by reducing the enzyme that starts production of prostaglandins and other compounds that transmit pain. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023 Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe cramps. —

Ashley Martens, Women's Health, 28 Apr. 2023 Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin (a hormone-like substance) that induces contractions and cervical dilation. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Apr. 2023 As estrogen decreases between ovulation and the start of your period, prostaglandins increase. —

Madeleine Burry, Health, 9 Mar. 2023 As a result, inflammation reigns: prostaglandins (lipids that form more quickly when tissue is damaged) and pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines act on nerve endings and ratchet up pain sensitivity. —

Jena Pincott, Scientific American, 1 June 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prostaglandin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

prostate gland + -in entry 1; from its occurrence in the seminal fluid of animals

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of prostaglandin was in 1936

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prostaglandin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostaglandin. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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Medical Definition

prostaglandin

noun

pros·ta·glan·din ˌpräs-tə-ˈglan-dən

: any of various oxygenated unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals that are formed as cyclooxygenase metabolites especially from unsaturated fatty acids (as arachidonic acid) composed of a chain of 20 carbon atoms and that perform a variety of hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)