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
ACTH travels in the bloodstream to the adrenal cortex and causes the release of steroids.—
Lester Grinspoon et al.
Lester Grinspoon et al.asthma and COPD treated with synthetic steroids
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
Rick Reilly
see also:
Examples of steroid in a Sentence
He was accused of taking steroids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pidgeon said that the steroid keeps her psoriasis in check with her diet.
—Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
Unlike his dad, who has been candid about his past steroid use, Baena has approached the sport au naturel.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
About a decade ago, a group of competitive CrossFitters in Charleston, South Carolina, went looking for ways to improve their athletic performance without taking steroids.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Certain weight-loss medications and steroids can also affect vitamin D levels in the body.
—Hadia Zainab, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steroid
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Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
Unlike his dad, who has been candid about his past steroid use, Baena has approached the sport au naturel.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
About a decade ago, a group of competitive CrossFitters in Charleston, South Carolina, went looking for ways to improve their athletic performance without taking steroids.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Certain weight-loss medications and steroids can also affect vitamin D levels in the body.
—Hadia Zainab, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for steroid
Cite this Entry
“Steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steroid. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
steroid
noun
ste·roid
ˈstir-ˌȯid
ˈster-
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
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