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

She said she’s overheard her son and his friends teasing each other about things like high cortisol and high testosterone.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

"Participants could not reliably identify whether infrasound was present, and their beliefs about whether it was on had no detectable effect on their cortisol or mood."

From Science Daily • May 3, 2026

Researchers also collected saliva samples before and after the listening period to measure cortisol levels.

From Science Daily • May 3, 2026

"Increased cortisol levels help the body respond to immediate stressors by inducing a state of vigilance," said Prof Trevor Hamilton of MacEwan University, corresponding author.

From Science Daily • May 3, 2026

Their levels of cortisol actually went down, as if they were unconsciously trying to defuse their own anger.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell