steroid

American  

[steer-oid, ster-] / ˈstɪər ɔɪd, ˈstɛr- /

noun

• steroids
  plural

1. any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds, as the sterols, bile acids, and sex hormones, most of which have specific physiological action.

2. anabolic steroid.

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adjective

1. Also steroidal pertaining to or characteristic of a steroid.

idioms

1. on steroids, much larger, stronger, or more extreme than is normal or expected.

   Yosemite is nature on steroids. He's so lovable, he's like Santa Claus on steroids.

steroid British  

/ ˈstɛr-, ˈstɪərɔɪd /

noun

1. biochem any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds containing a characteristic chemical ring system. The majority, including the sterols, bile acids, many hormones, and the D vitamins, have important physiological action

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steroid Scientific  

/ stĕr′oid′ /

1. Any of a large class of organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings fused together. Steroids include many biologically important compounds, including cholesterol and other sterols, the sex hormones (such as testosterone and estrogen), bile acids, adrenal hormones, plant alkaloids, and certain forms of vitamins.

2. Any of various hormones having the structure of a steroid that are made synthetically, especially for use in medicine.

3. An anabolic steroid.

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steroid Cultural  

1. A group of molecules that includes cholesterol. The sex hormones estrogen and testosterone are built from steroids, as are many modern anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Discover More

Steroids are often used illegally to increase the performance of competitive athletes of almost all age groups. They are banned in many athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• steroidal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• steroids
  plural

Etymology

Origin of steroid

First recorded in 1925–30; ster(ol) + -oid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

steroid steroids

These steroid hormones are important for metabolism, immune activity, and the body's response to stress.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

TSW can sometimes appear while still using a topical steroid, but becomes much worse on stopping and more severe than the original condition.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

Instead, clinicians often use a fracture risk assessment tool to evaluate ten-year probability of a fracture based on age, bone mineral density, steroid use and other risk factors.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026

Soon I was using prescription shampoo, two topical serums, monthly steroid scalp injections, and a pricey red-light therapy cap that made me look like an alien.

From Slate ● May 23, 2026

Women are acutely aware of the odor of a synthetic steroid named exaltolide, which most men are unable to detect.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

But they’ve been on steroids since the 2007-09 financial crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

“It is like a high school party from 40 years ago on steroids and on an unparalleled scale with thousands, not hundreds,” Parker said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

She stayed in hospital for two weeks, and was put on anti-parasitic drugs and steroids.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Give them a urine test, because that is cynicism on steroids.

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026

It’s pretty much the wall over Elsie’s bed on steroids.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston