anabolic steroid

noun

: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance

Examples of anabolic steroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, while therapeutic when used under medical supervision, testosterone's classification as a steroid means Kennedy's claim of not using anabolic steroids is technically incorrect. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn’t. —Katie Camero, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025

Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. —Katie Camero, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025

In 2023 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher J.C. Mejía received a 162-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. —Maury Brown, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anabolic steroid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• anthropoid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid

Kids Definition

anabolic steroid

noun

: any of several man-made hormones that are used in medicine to help tissue grow, that are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle size and strength, and that may have harmful effects (as stunted growth in teenagers)

Medical Definition

anabolic steroid

noun

: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance