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

For example, statins are known to be one of the most efficacious treatments to lower LDL and have shown remarkable impact in reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. —Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

Yes, cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins can cause itching and dryness for some people. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Even drugs as effective as statins are probably overhyped — and overprescribed. —Thomas Goetz, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026

The researchers compared people who started taking statins with similar people who did not take them. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 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