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

This experimental daily pill may lower cholesterol in patients who don’t see enough benefit with statins alone, a new study finds. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day. —NPR, 8 Nov. 2025

All of the patients had high cholesterol, high triglycerides, or both, despite being treated with currently available medications, including statins. —Alice Park, Time, 8 Nov. 2025

IC7Fc sharply lowered blood lipid levels, far more than statins did. —New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2025

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