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

But doctors already intervene in other pre-clinical conditions when there is a high health risk—prescribing statins for high cholesterol, metformin for pre-diabetes, even performing surgery for pre-cancerous polyps. —Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025

For these, he was prescribed a statin for his cholesterol, two blood pressure medications (hydrochlorothiazide and losartan), and metformin for his diabetes. —ArsTechnica, 3 July 2025

Studies show that red yeast rice may be as effective as low-dose statins, such as lovastatin.1 However, effectiveness depends on the amount of monacolin K, which varies significantly between brands and is often unknown. —Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 9 June 2025

But the cause of high cholesterol is multifactorial, and for some people, cholesterol-lowering medications like statins aren’t effective. —Paul McClure 18, New Atlas, 18 May 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