corticosteroid
noun
cor·ti·co·ste·roid
ˌkȯr-ti-kō-ˈster-ˌȯid 
-ˈstir-
-ˈstir-
: any of various steroid hormones (such as cortisol, cortisone, or aldosterone) that are produced by the adrenal cortex (see cortex sense 1(a)1) from cholesterol
also
: any of various synthetic derivatives (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) of these steroid hormones that are used as drugs
Note: Corticosteroids are classified according to their physiological activity as glucocorticoids, which chiefly regulate carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, and mineralocorticoids, which chiefly regulate electrolyte and fluid balance in the body. Androgens (such as androstenedione) are also produced by the adrenal cortex and are sometimes classified as corticosteroids.
Examples of corticosteroid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People taking other medications, such as corticosteroids and psychotropic drugs (such as antidepressants) which can cause weight gain, may also find GLP-1 drugs don’t work very well for them.
—
Nadine Wehida,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
There’s acupuncture, corticosteroids, intrauterine infusions, endometrial biopsies, something called EmbryoGlue, and more.
—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
24 June 2026
For several hundred dollars, companies now sell bundles containing prescription antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, and instructional guides, marketed under the logic that self-treatment is faster, cheaper, and more convenient than professional care.
—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The Olympic rower Liam Corrigan shared last year that his supplement stack included 11 different vitamins, minerals, medications, and corticosteroids.
—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corticosteroid
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Nadine Wehida,
Scientific American,
25 June 2026
There’s acupuncture, corticosteroids, intrauterine infusions, endometrial biopsies, something called EmbryoGlue, and more.
—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
24 June 2026
For several hundred dollars, companies now sell bundles containing prescription antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, and instructional guides, marketed under the logic that self-treatment is faster, cheaper, and more convenient than professional care.
—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The Olympic rower Liam Corrigan shared last year that his supplement stack included 11 different vitamins, minerals, medications, and corticosteroids.
—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corticosteroid
Cite this Entry
“Corticosteroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corticosteroid. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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