cortisol

American  

[kawr-tuh-sawl, -sohl] / ˈkɔr təˌsɔl, -ˌsoʊl /

noun

1. Biochemistry. one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and resembling cortisone in its action.

2. Pharmacology. hydrocortisone.

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cortisol British  

/ ˈkɔːtɪˌsɒl /

noun

1. another name for hydrocortisone

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cortisol Scientific  

/ kôr′tĭ-sôl′,-sōl′ /

1. The principal steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism and the immune system and maintains blood pressure. When natural or synthetic cortisol is used as a pharmaceutical, it is known as hydrocortisone.

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Etymology

Origin of cortisol

First recorded in 1950–55; cortis(one) + -ol ¹

Compare meaning

How does cortisol compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cortisone vs. cortisol

Example Sentences

Cortisol took off as a buzzword associated with stress after the publication of naturopath James Lee Wilson’s 2001 book, Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome.

From Slate • Sep. 9, 2025

Cortisol is one of several hormones that help control how our body responds to stress.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

Cortisol intervenes in sugar and fat metabolism and affects other parameters, including blood pressure and respiratory and heart rate.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2024

Cortisol, released when you are irritated by constant noise, produces hormones which work in a feedback loop to lower levels of testosterone.

From The Guardian • Jul. 3, 2017

Cortisol, the stress hormone, in infants goes up when separated from the mother or father.

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2017