statin

noun

stat·​in ˈsta-tᵊn 

: any of a group of drugs (such as lovastatin and simvastatin) that inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and promote the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma

Examples of statin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After 15 years managing various fast-food restaurants, and, by his own admission, eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at them, he was diagnosed with high LDL cholesterol and prescribed a cocktail of statins. —David Cox, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026

Talk to a healthcare provider about whether a statin is appropriate for you or if lifestyle changes may be enough to manage your cholesterol. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 Apr. 2026

My patient’s brain fog was almost certainly not caused by her statin and neither was her achiness — her muscle enzymes were normal. —Vikas Patel, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026

Based on this evidence, guideline authors recommend trying inexpensive generic statins before turning to newer and more costly brand-name drugs. —Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from -statin (as in lovastatin)

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for statin

• aten
• clayton
• satan
• straighten
• creatine

Medical Definition

statin

noun

stat·​in ˈstat-ᵊn 

: any of a group of lipid-lowering drugs (as lovastatin and simvastatin) that function by inhibiting a liver enzyme which controls the synthesis of cholesterol and by promoting the production of LDL-binding receptors in the liver resulting in a usually marked decrease in the level of LDL and a modest increase in the level of HDL circulating in blood plasma