steroid

noun

ste·​roid ˈster-ˌȯid How to pronounce steroid (audio)
also
ˈstir- How to pronounce steroid (audio)
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
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Based on the current evidence, steroid injections are the most widely accepted of the injection therapies for short-term pain relief. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024 Warning The first page of the fitness guide given to me has a big warning about steroid use. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 Just like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and all the steroid candidates. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2024 For Israel, 7/10 was 9/11 on steroids, and for the Jewish people, 7/10 was a new Kristallnacht. Ari Shavit, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steroid 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sterol + -oid

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steroid was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near steroid

Cite this Entry

“Steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steroid. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steroid

noun
ste·​roid ˈstir-ˌȯid How to pronounce steroid (audio) ˈster- How to pronounce steroid (audio)
: any of various chemical compounds that include numerous hormones (as estrogen and testosterone) compare anabolic steroid

Medical Definition

steroid

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on steroid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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