one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and resembling cortisone in its action
2. Pharmacology
hydrocortisone
Word origin
[1950–55; cortis(one) + -ol1]This word is first recorded in the period 1950–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Common Market, International Gothic, action painting, hot line, wiretap-ol is a suffix used in the names of chemical derivatives, representing “alcohol” (glycerol; naphthol; phenol), or sometimes “phenol” or less definitely assignable phenol derivatives (resorcinol)
Examples of 'cortisol' in a sentence
cortisol
One recent study showed that yoga reduced stress hormones such as cortisol.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Levels of the stress hormone cortisol reach their lowest at night.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Cortisol from chronic stress doesn't only damage our brains directly.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
This stress response in the brain triggers production of cortisol, the main stress hormone.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Suspense increases the level of cortisol in the bloodstream.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Now there's something to get the cortisol levels soaring.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Conversely, people with depression produce excess cortisol.
canada.com (2012)
In happy people, cortisol levels lessen during the day.
The Sun (2007)
As serotonin production increases, the stress hormone cortisol decreases.
The Sun (2014)
In these circumstances, elevated cortisol levels do us no good.