prostaglandin

American

[pros-tuh-glan-din] / ˌprɒs təˈglæn dɪn /

noun

Biochemistry. any of a class of unsaturated fatty acids that are involved in the contraction of smooth muscle, the control of inflammation and body temperature, and many other physiological functions.
Pharmacology. any commercial preparation of this substance.

prostaglandin British

/ ˌprɒstəˈɡlændɪn /

noun

any of a group of potent hormone-like compounds composed of essential fatty acids and found in all mammalian tissues, esp human semen. Prostaglandins stimulate the muscles of the uterus and affect the blood vessels; they are used to induce abortion or birth

"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

prostaglandin Scientific

/ prŏs′tə-glăn′dĭn /

Any of a group of substances that are derived from fatty acids and have a wide range of effects in the body. Prostaglandins influence the contraction of the muscles lining many internal organs and can lower or raise blood pressure.

Etymology

Origin of prostaglandin

First recorded in 1935–40; prosta(te) + gland ¹ + -in ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

prostaglandin

Earlier research from Blau's lab showed that prostaglandin E2 is essential for muscle stem cell function.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 20, 2026

The current study shows that as soon as the prostaglandin E2 binds to the two receptors, T cells can no longer respond to IL-2.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2024

"Current treatment approaches would probably be more effective if the effects of prostaglandin E2 on stem-like T cells is blocked to enable their unhindered differentiation within tumor tissue," says Sebastian Kobold.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2024

"We suspect that even the body's own IL-2 signals may be sufficient to enable T cells to successfully fight cancer once the effects of prostaglandin E2 have been stopped," says Sebastian Kobold.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2024

This appears to be related to increased prostaglandin synthesis, which is important for inducing contractions, and the onset of labor, Engeland explained.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 6, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023