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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.


cortisol British  
/ ˈkɔːtɪˌsɒl /

noun

  1. another name for hydrocortisone

"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

cortisol Scientific  
/ kôrtĭ-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.


Etymology

Origin of cortisol

First recorded in 1950–55; cortis(one) + -ol 1

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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.

In chaotic situations, he says, the brain of the average daredevil doesn’t produce much cortisol, a chemical involved in the fight or flight response.

From The Wall Street Journal

Neuroscientists know that fighting with people who hold different views leads to the release of cortisol in the brain, which increases stress, Matter co-founder Ben Goldhirsh explained.

From Los Angeles Times

But there is the potential for long-term health damage – heart disease, autoimmune problems - linked to "toxic stress", where the body is flooded with hormones like cortisol and catecholamines, which produce adrenaline.

From BBC

Heart rate and blood pressure jump and stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline surge.

From BBC

If you were stressed before you began this exercise, your heart rate probably slowed and stabilized as levels of cortisol and other stress hormones decreased in your blood.

From Los Angeles Times