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

Macleod told me that statins really do affect mitochondria, as do some antibiotics. —Hannah Seo, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025

These include common pills such as statins for high cholesterol, multiple blood pressure medications and metformin for blood sugar control. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025

For that reason, the researchers enrolled patients in the trial who, despite already being on statins or even high-intensity statins, still had LDL levels that were too high. —Linda Carroll, NBC news, 7 May 2025

These drugs include Tylenol (acetaminophen), statins, macrolides, anticonvulsants, antituberculosis medications, and some herbal supplements. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 24 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