steroid

noun

ste·​roid ˈster-ˌȯid 

also

ˈstir- 

plural steroids

: any of various compounds containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including the sterols and numerous hormones (such as anabolic steroids or corticosteroids) and glycosides

Fifty steroids have been shown to be present in the adrenal cortex. Only seven of these, however, have been shown to exert a significant biological effect related to adrenal cortical function.

—John E. Hoover

often, specifically : anabolic steroid

an athlete taking/using steroids

a steroid user

Their … reporting triggered a national wake-up call about steroid use that led to congressional hearings, and, at long last, steroid testing in baseball.

—Rick Reilly

see also steroid hormone

steroid adjective

or steroidal

stə-ˈrȯi-dᵊl 

Phrases

on steroids

1

: taking anabolic steroids

an athlete accused of being on steroids

The term [road rage] was presumably based on "roid rage," referring to sudden violent activity by people on steroids.

—Michael Fumento

2

informal : greatly increased in size or power beyond what is normal or usual

With one giant claw and one smaller one, the creature looks like a fiddler crab on steroids.

—Don Wilson

… the inflation of a military budget that already looks as though it's on steroids.

—Donald Kaul

Only technology could cook it in record time. A microwave oven on steroids, that cooks eight times faster than other conventional ovens.

—James Hattori et al.

Examples of steroid in a Sentence

He was accused of taking steroids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Picture those aquarium screensavers of yore, reimagined for the future and on steroids. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

My doctor prescribed steroids, which helped keep my pain in check but didn’t reduce the size of the abscesses. —Julia Ries, SELF, 16 Dec. 2024

All are now in Cooperstown except those who recently retired (Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols) and those with strong ties to steroids (Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez). —Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

Examples include some psychiatric medications, steroids, and drugs to treat diabetes and epilepsy. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sterol + -oid

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing steroid

• anabolic steroid
• steroid hormone

Kids Definition

steroid

noun

ste·​roid ˈstir-ˌȯid  ˈster- 

: any of various chemical compounds that include numerous hormones (as estrogen and testosterone) compare anabolic steroid

Medical Definition

steroid

noun

ste·​roid ˈsti(ə)r-ˌȯid 

also

ˈste(ə)r- 

: any of numerous natural or synthetic compounds containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides see anabolic steroid

steroid adjective

or steroidal

stə-ˈrȯid-ᵊl