steroid

ste·roid

noun \ˈstir-ˌȯid also ˈster-\

Definition of STEROID

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

— steroid or ste·roi·dal \stə-ˈrȯi-d^əl\ adjective

Examples of STEROID

1. He was accused of taking steroids.

Origin of STEROID

International Scientific Vocabulary sterol + -oid

First Known Use: 1926

Rhymes with STEROID

android, avoid, chancroid, colloid, conoid, crinoid, cuboid, cycloid, deltoid, dendroid, devoid, discoid, factoid, fibroid, fungoid, ganoid, globoid, hydroid, hypnoid, keloid, mastoid, mucoid, ovoid, prismoid, pygmoid, rhizoid, rhomboid, schizoid, scombroid, sigmoid, spheroid, styloid, tabloid, thalloid, thyroid, toroid, toxoid, trochoid, typhoid, Veddoid, viroid

ste·roid

noun \ˈsti(ə)r-ˌȯid also ˈste(ə)r-\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STEROID

: 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 or ste·roi·dal \stə-ˈrȯid-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

steroid

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of a class of natural or synthetic organic compounds with a molecular core, or nucleus, of 17 carbon atoms in a characteristic three-dimensional arrangement of four rings. The configuration of the nucleus, the nature of the groups attached to it, and their positions distinguish different steroids. Hundreds have been found in plants and animals and thousands more synthesized or made by modifying natural steroids. Steroids are important in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Examples include many hormones (including the sex hormones), bile acids, sterols (including cholesterol), and oral contraceptives (see contraception). Digitalis was the first steroid widely used in Western medicine. Corticosteroids (see cortisone) and their synthetic analogs are used to treat rheumatism and other inflammatory ailments. See also anabolic steroid.