prednisone

[pred-nuh-sohn, -zohn]

noun Pharmacology.

an analogue of cortisone, C21H26O5, used as an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antineoplastic in the treatment of various diseases.

Origin of prednisone

1950–55; pre(gna)d(ie)n(e), a component of its chemical name + (cort)isone

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prednisone

Contemporary Examples of prednisone

This group includes familiar medicines like hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, and Decadron.
Where Were the Doctors to Testify at Roger Clemens’s Perjury Trial?
Kent Sepkowitz
June 20, 2012
Jumbling my words, I tried to explain the disease and prednisone and its side effects.
Inspired by Ashley Judd, My Own ‘Puffy Face’ Saga
Kelly Bergin
April 13, 2012
Prednisone is often used to combat the inflammation brought on by autoimmune diseases.
Inspired by Ashley Judd, My Own ‘Puffy Face’ Saga
Kelly Bergin
April 13, 2012
Most notably, prednisone can trigger something called moon face.
Inspired by Ashley Judd, My Own ‘Puffy Face’ Saga
Kelly Bergin
April 13, 2012
Each morning I take the prednisone and it sticks in my throat.
Inspired by Ashley Judd, My Own ‘Puffy Face’ Saga
Kelly Bergin
April 13, 2012

British Dictionary definitions for prednisone

prednisone

noun

a steroid drug derived from cortisone and having the same uses

Word Origin for prednisone

C20: perhaps from pre (gnant) + -d (ie) n (e) + (cort) isone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prednisone

1955, probably from elements of pregnadiene (from pregnane, name of the compound from which pregnancy hormones were derived, from the Latin stem of pregnancy) + ending from cortisone.

prednisone in Medicine

prednisone

[prĕd′nĭ-sōn′,-zōn′]

n.

A synthetic steroid similar to cortisone that is used as an antiallergic, immunosuppressive, and anticancer drug and as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.