performance-enhancing drug
noun
: a substance (such as an anabolic steroid, human growth hormone, or erythropoietin) that is used illicitly to improve athletic performance
In the United States, more than 1 million elite and recreational athletes use performance-enhancing drugs for muscle building purposes.—
Josiah D. Rich et al.
Josiah D. Rich et al.…33 of the 48 major and minor league players suspended by baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs since the start of 2006 were pitchers.—Sean Gregory
Sean GregoryRoger Bannister, the first person to run a subpar four-minute mile, said today he thought that increased use of blood testing could help curb the use of performance-enhancing drugs by track and field athletes.—The New York Times
—abbreviation PED
The New York TimesExamples of performance-enhancing drug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Phillies miss José Alvarado, who is serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Still one of the top players in the game, however, his numbers at the plate have declined since his return from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2022.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Lance Armstrong won seven titles but was stripped of them in 2012 after admitting using performance-enhancing drugs.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
The Phillies bullpen has the eighth worst ERA in the majors and will be without Jose Alvarado for the playoffs after a performance-enhancing drug suspension.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for performance-enhancing drug
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Still one of the top players in the game, however, his numbers at the plate have declined since his return from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2022.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Lance Armstrong won seven titles but was stripped of them in 2012 after admitting using performance-enhancing drugs.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
The Phillies bullpen has the eighth worst ERA in the majors and will be without Jose Alvarado for the playoffs after a performance-enhancing drug suspension.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for performance-enhancing drug
Cite this Entry
“Performance-enhancing drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/performance-enhancing%20drug. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share