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.

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

steroid adjective

or steroidal

stə-ˈrȯi-dᵊl 

see also on steroids

Examples of steroid in a Sentence

He was accused of taking steroids.

Recent Examples on the Web

If designed poorly, tartan interiors can occasionally come across as overdone or even gimmicky—like a Christmas catalogue on steroids. —Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025

But Clemens’ career was ultimately defined by baseball’s steroid era. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025

For fans of college basketball, think Selection Sunday on steroids. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

Law enforcement seized the package, but Wenger continued to communicate with Harris about supplying the third person with steroids. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sterol + -oid

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing steroid

• anabolic steroid
• steroid hormone

Rhymes for steroid

• alloyed
• android
• annoyed
• avoid
• centroid
• convoyed
• cuboid
• cycloid
• decoyed
• deployed
• dermoid
• destroyed

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