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

Like blood pressure medications, statins are considered underused. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026

The products most vulnerable once that buffer runs thin would likely be everyday generics where supply chains are already tight and margins are thin — common antibiotics like amoxicillin, blood-pressure medications such as metoprolol, diabetes drugs like metformin, statins, and common painkillers. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2026

The guidelines recommend statins, a type of medication designed to lower cholesterol, for adults 30 and older with LDL cholesterol levels of 160 milligrams per deciliter of blood or higher. —Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026

Nissen says the guidelines will affect millions of people and lead to many more being treated with statins and other medicines that can lower LDL cholesterol. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 13 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