Glucocorticoid

/ˌɡluːkoʊˈkɔːrtɪkɔɪd/ noun

Definition

A type of steroid hormone that regulates blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and helps the body respond to stress.

Etymology

From Greek 'glukos' (glucose) plus 'cortex' (outer layer, referring to the adrenal cortex where these hormones are made) plus '-oid' (resembling); coined in the mid-20th century.

Kelly Says

Glucocorticoids are your body's stress fighters and sugar managers rolled into one—cortisol, the famous 'stress hormone,' is a glucocorticoid that literally shapes how your body handles both sugar and danger!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.