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  

/ ˈstɪərɔɪd, ˈstɛr- /

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

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

Was this a sign of steroid treatment for some illness?

From BBC ● May 30, 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

A treatment of steroids, antibiotics, and a spray cleared up the rash in two weeks, Clive says.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

She had actually been suffering from a tumefactive demyelination - an inflammation which is usually treated by neurologists who would prescribe strong steroids.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Girl Power on steroids, Nanno prefers cold hard justice to empathy every time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

He looked like a toddler who’d taken steroids and joined the Marines.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan