performance-enhancing

American  

[per-fawr-muhns en-han-sing, ‐en-hahn-sing] / pərˈfɔr məns ɛnˌhæn sɪŋ, ‐ɛnˌhɑn sɪŋ /

adjective

1. noting or relating to a drug or other substance used to improve one's performance in a sport or other activity requiring strength, stamina, etc..

   The use of performance-enhancing steroids by athletes is banned.

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Etymology

Origin of performance-enhancing

First recorded in 1975–1980

Example Sentences

Great Elm Capital, a small BDC affiliated with the boutique investment bank Imperial Capital, used all of the performance-enhancing tactics in its $420 million portfolio, and found itself with hefty exposure to First Brands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Years ago, during an interview, he turned the tables and asked me how I felt about the 50-game suspension that the prodigious home-run hitter Manny Ramirez had received for violating baseball’s rules on performance-enhancing drugs.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2025

They added: "It's a completely normal practice in multiple sports, conducted with experienced scientists and their equipment. In this way, it is neither harmful to health nor performance-enhancing."

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2025

It was obvious to anyone who followed baseball closely in the 1990s and early 2000s that Sosa’s achievements were allegedly aided by performance-enhancing drugs.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

Even so, MYC is not likely to be the basis of a new therapy for sarcopenia or a performance-enhancing drug.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024