prostaglandin

noun

pros·​ta·​glan·​din ˌprä-stə-ˈglan-dən 

: any of various oxygenated unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals that are formed chiefly by the action of cyclooxygenase on arachidonic acid and perform a variety of hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)

Examples of prostaglandin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With his colleagues, he was credited with opening up the study of prostaglandins and, along with it, a broad array of applications in medical science. —Emily Langer, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

When the body has an abundance of prostaglandins, cramping feels worse. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024

The most likely cause is having too many prostaglandins, chemicals that cause the uterus to contract. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024

The results are too impressive to be ignored, especially as questionable ingredients like prostaglandin (which has been linked to reports of eyelid hyperpigmentation, skin reactivity and styes) are swapped for non-irritating conditioning ingredients like peptides. —Morgan Fargo, refinery29.com, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

prostate gland + -in entry 1; from its occurrence in the seminal fluid of animals

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

prostaglandin

noun

pros·​ta·​glan·​din ˌpräs-tə-ˈglan-dən 

: any of various oxygenated unsaturated cyclic fatty acids of animals that are formed as cyclooxygenase metabolites especially from unsaturated fatty acids (as arachidonic acid) composed of a chain of 20 carbon atoms and that perform a variety of hormonelike actions (as in controlling blood pressure or smooth muscle contraction)