prednisone

noun

pred·​ni·​sone ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn 

also

-ˌzōn 

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant

Examples of prednisone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gastroenterologist Alan Moss, chief scientific officer of the New York–based Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, says that older drugs such as the steroid prednisone suppress the entire immune system. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025

Long-term steroid use: Taking steroids like prednisone and prednisolone for a long time can increase your cortisol levels. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 3 Mar. 2025

Corticosteroids: Drugs like prednisone (Deltasone, Rayos, and Sterapred) may decrease levels of vitamin D in the blood. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025

In this case, the patient and her doctors decided to use a 14-day combination of the immunosuppressive steroid prednisone and the anti-parasitic drug albendazole. —Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from pregnane (C₂₁H₃₆) + diene (compound containing two double bonds) + cortisone

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

prednisone

noun

pred·​ni·​sone

ˈpred-nə-ˌsōn also -ˌzōn

: a glucocorticoid C₂₁H₂₆O₅ that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant