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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In anabolic steroid abuse, people with normal testosterone levels supplement with steroids and bring their testosterone over the top. Ben Radding, Men's Health, 27 Feb. 2023 Mullen’s heart was 64.7% over the upper limit of the range for someone of his age, fitness and build, the report says, and anabolic steroid use is associated with an enlarged heart and sudden cardiac death. Courtney Kube, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2022 Clenbuterol is an anabolic steroid that bodybuilders often use to lose fat and promote lean muscle mass. Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2022 Shelby Houlihan, the American record holder in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters, was banned for four years after failing to prove that tainted pork caused her positive test for an anabolic steroid, sport’s highest court said Tuesday. BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2021 Another anabolic steroid in common usage in the 1970s, Deca-Durabolin causes users to build muscle quickly. Dallas News, 14 Dec. 2022 The supplement contains a blend of 12 ingredients that work synergistically to enhance the body’s production of testosterone without experiencing the side effects of anabolic steroid use. Dallas News, 12 Jan. 2023 Lundholm et al say that previous research has found correlations between anabolic steroid use and violent criminal behaviour, but that this doesn’t establish causation. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2014 According to court records, Lawson was allegedly found with 34.6 grams of an anabolic steroid on Aug. 26, 2021. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anabolic steroid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anabolic steroid was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near anabolic steroid

Cite this Entry

“Anabolic steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anabolic%20steroid. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on anabolic steroid

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