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

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Etymology

Origin of steroid

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

steroid steroids

A new study suggests that the treatment, which uses ultrasound to guide an injection of ordinary saline around a compressed nerve, provides longer-lasting benefits than traditional steroid injections, without the risks associated with steroids.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

"I manage it on my own with my steroid cream and hope that I'm doing everything right."

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Common treatments, including over-the-counter medications and steroid injections, may reduce symptoms for a time, but they do not prevent the underlying joint damage from progressing.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 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

A short distance below the South Summit, as the climbers descended into thick clouds and falling snow, Pittman collapsed again and asked Fox to give her an injection of a powerful steroid called dexamethasone.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

A new study suggests that the treatment, which uses ultrasound to guide an injection of ordinary saline around a compressed nerve, provides longer-lasting benefits than traditional steroid injections, without the risks associated with steroids.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

Now 33, she has recently learned she never had cancer at all but an inflammation of the brain that could have been treated with steroids.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

“I feel like pet loving is on steroids out here compared to Wisconsin,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

He never stops looking puffy and ridiculous, like a washed-up rocker spending all his royalties on steroids.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

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