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

Joe Vennare, founder of Fitt Insider, which analyses the health and wellness industry, feels normalising performance-enhancing drugs will bring unknown health and cultural consequences.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Reframe your sleep as a performance-enhancing strategy, says Troxel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

In short, an AI — which has been described as smelling like cat urine — is a performance-enhancing substance.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 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

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