cortisone

American  

[kawr-tuh-zohn, -sohn] / ˈkɔr təˌzoʊn, -ˌsoʊn /

noun

• cortisones
  plural

1. Biochemistry. a steroid hormone of the adrenal cortex, C 21 H 28 O 5 , active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial form of this compound, obtained by extraction from the adrenal glands of certain domesticated animals or produced synthetically, used chiefly in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatic fever, certain allergies, and other systemic conditions.

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cortisone British  

/ -ˌzəʊn, ˈkɔːtɪˌsəʊn /

noun

1. a glucocorticoid hormone, the synthetic form of which has been used in treating rheumatoid arthritis, allergic and skin diseases, leukaemia, etc; 17-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone. Formula: C 21 H 28 O 5

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cortisone Scientific  

/ kôr′tĭ-sōn′ /

1. A steroid hormone that is easily formed from or converted to cortisol in the blood and is also produced synthetically for use as a pharmaceutical. The effects of cortisone on body tissues are similar to those of naturally or synthetically produced cortisol.

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cortisone Cultural  

1. A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is important in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It is used in medicine to treat some forms of arthritis and to reduce inflammation.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cortisones
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cortisone

1949; shortening of cortico-sterone; see sterol, -one

Compare meaning

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

• cortisone vs. cortisol

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cortisone

"Other common treatments for knee osteoarthritis include strengthening the thigh muscles, using knee braces, taking anti-inflammatory medications, getting cortisone and other injections, and sometimes having knee replacement surgery."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

The 89-year-old, who is one of Europe's longest-serving monarchs, has been treated in recent weeks with cortisone for rare blood condition haemolytic anaemia.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The 29-year-old, who received a cortisone shot in his knee, had yet to give up a run in eight scoreless appearances out of the bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025

Max said that if he had not been able to get a cortisone shot, which was covered by Medicaid, he wouldn’t be able to work with his right arm.

From Salon ● May 3, 2025

She was swollen with cortisone, moonfaced, not the slender mother Rahel knew.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy