a type of powerful steroid, used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant
dexamethasone in American English
(ˌdeksəˈmeθəˌsoun, -ˌzoun)
noun
Pharmacology
a crystalline, water-soluble steroid, C22H29FO5, used in the treatment of certain allergic or inflammatory conditions, as rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, or dermatosis
Word origin
[1955–60; perh. dexa(myl) + meth(yl) + -a- (of unclear orig.) (corti)sone]This word is first recorded in the period 1955–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: geodesic dome, life-support, new wave, rollout, software
Examples of 'dexamethasone' in a sentence
dexamethasone
He wasn't responding to dexamethasone, which is a steroid.