Catalyzes the conversion of biologically active 11beta-hydroxyglucocorticoids (11beta-hydroxysteroid) such as cortisol, to inactive 11-ketoglucocorticoids (11-oxosteroid) such as cortisone, in the presence of NAD(+) (PubMed:7859916, PubMed:8538347, PubMed:10497248, PubMed:22796344, PubMed:27927697, PubMed:30902677, PubMed:33387577, PubMed:12788846, PubMed:17314322). Functions as a dehydrogenase (oxidase), thereby decreasing the concentration of active glucocorticoids, thus protecting the nonselective mineralocorticoid receptor from occupation by glucocorticoids (PubMed:7859916, PubMed:10497248, PubMed:33387577, PubMed:12788846, PubMed:17314322). Plays an important role in maintaining glucocorticoids balance during preimplantation and protects the fetus from excessive maternal corticosterone exposure (By similarity). Catalyzes the oxidation of 11beta-hydroxytestosterone (11beta,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one) to 11-ketotestosterone (17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione), a major bioactive androgen (PubMed:22796344, PubMed:27927697). Catalyzes the conversion of 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) to 11-ketoandrostenedione (androst-4-ene-3,11,17-trione), which can be further metabolized to 11-ketotestosterone (PubMed:27927697). Converts 7-beta-25-dihydroxycholesterol to 7-oxo-25-hydroxycholesterol in vitro (PubMed:30902677). 7-beta-25-dihydroxycholesterol (not 7-oxo-25-hydroxycholesterol) acts as ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2) and may thereby regulate immune cell migration (PubMed:30902677). May protect ovulating oocytes and fertilizing spermatozoa from the adverse effects of cortisol (By similarity). an 11beta-hydroxysteroid + NAD(+) = an 11-oxosteroid + H(+) + NADH cortisol + NAD(+) = cortisone + H(+) + NADH corticosterone + NAD(+) = 11-dehydrocorticosterone + H(+) + NADH 11beta,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one + NAD(+) = 17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione + H(+) + NADH 11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione + NAD(+) = androst-4-ene-3,11,17-trione + H(+) + NADH Inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid (derived from liquorice). Steroid metabolism. Interacts with ligand-free cytoplasmic NR3C2. Expressed in kidney, placenta, pancreas, prostate, ovary, small intestine and colon, and in lower levels in the spleen and testis (PubMed:7859916). At midgestation, expressed at high levels in placenta and in fetal kidney and, at much lower levels, in fetal lung and testis (PubMed:8530071). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Consumption of large amounts of liquorice can lead to apparent mineralocorticoid excess and hypertension. Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family.