statin

American  

[stat-n] / ˈstæt n /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. any of a class of drugs that reduce the levels of lipids in the blood by altering the enzyme activity in the liver that produces lipids: used in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

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statin British  

/ ˈstætɪn /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs, including atorvastatin and simvastatin, that lower the levels of low-density lipoproteins in the blood by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver

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statin Scientific  

/ stăt′n /

1. Any of a class of drugs that inhibit a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of cholesterol and promote receptor binding of LDL-cholesterol, resulting in decreased levels of serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and increased levels of HDL-cholesterol.

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Etymology

Origin of statin

First recorded in 1985–90; extracted from (lova)statin and other drugs in this class

Explanation

A statin is a kind of medicine that can help lower a person's cholesterol. By taking statins, many patients lower their risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Some of the cholesterol in our blood comes from the food we eat, but most is produced by our livers. When cholesterol is too high, fat can build up inside our arteries and cause cardiovascular disease. Statins reduce the cholesterol made by the liver. Statin is from the Latin stare, "remain or stand still," and is often used as a suffix in names for drugs that stop something; in this case, statins bring rising cholesterol to a halt.

Example Sentences

Plus, 50 years of Apple products, a scan for statin use and saying no to an inheritance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

In fact, the National Committee for Quality Assurance only tracked whether someone was on a statin, and their adherence to it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

For instance, yearly reports of cognitive or memory problems were 0.2% among statin users and 0.2% among those on placebo.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026

Lead author Prof Christina Reith said worries about statin safety had deterred many people who could benefit from taking them.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

A man has a pleasure in statin thae things o' a father.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. XX by Leighton, Alexander