steroid

[ steer-oid, ster- ]

noun

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.

adjective

1. Also ste·roi·dal [] pertaining to or characteristic of a steroid.

steroid

/ ˈstɛr-; ˈstɪərɔɪd /

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

steroid

/ 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.

steroid

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.

Notes

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 .

Derived Forms

• steˈroidal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steroid¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of steroid¹

C20: from sterol + -oid

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on steroids, Slang. 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.

Example Sentences

So far, Bonds had gained one vote on net, while Clemens had seen no net change — a level of stability attributable to the fact that both sides of the steroid debate are intractably dug in at this point.

From FiveThirtyEight

While Barry Bonds broke his home run record in 2007, under suspicion of steroid use, Aaron remains the all-time leader in career RBIs and total bases.

From Time

In Wednesday’s interview, she made that claim publicly, noting that there are people who say that steroids can have an impact on one’s thinking.

From Washington Post

Until the last few days, that is, when polls began spiking like they had just taken steroids and were suddenly feeling better than they had in 20 years.

From Ozy

At this point, steroid therapy or Dexamethasone is the most effective treatment to reduce mortality from infection.

From Nautilus

Usually time and more time will clear this up, though once in a while, a person may require some steroid drops.

From The Daily Beast

Whether it was surging steroid use, or the way AstroTurf could wreck ACL joints, there was always something to fix.

From The Daily Beast

The “steroid years,” 2001–2003, were some of the best statistically of your career.

From The Daily Beast

First of all, HGH is not a steroid, though the term “steroid” has come to be used interchangeably and incorrectly with PEDs.

From The Daily Beast

The anonymous blog Tennis Has a Steroid Problem has a laundry list of “evidence” against the 27-year-old Spaniard.

From The Daily Beast