statin

noun

stat·​in ˈsta-tᵊn How to pronounce statin (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Your provider may also prescribe a statin like Lipitor (atorvastatin) to lower your cholesterol quickly. Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2025 Heart disease costs $226 billion; statins and lifestyle programs are exponentially cheaper than heart failure admissions. Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for statin

Word History

Etymology

from -statin (as in lovastatin)

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of statin was in 1985

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Statin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statin. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

statin

noun
stat·​in ˈstat-ᵊn How to pronounce statin (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on statin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!