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

Within seconds, the system sends her a message offering a lower-cost statin alternative and a ride-share voucher. —Mika Newton, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

These contain a natural statin that may cause liver damage, said Nima Majlesi, DO, a medical toxicologist at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025

The task force's recommendations help determine which services insurers must cover at no cost—including cancer screenings, cholesterol-lowering statins and HIV prevention drugs like PrEP. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025

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