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

Some nasal steroids for allergies have also become OTC. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026

Michael Saylor took the opposite tack on steroids. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

As the Mountain House comes into view, you’ll be wowed by this structure that is part Victorian castle, part ski chalet-on-steroids. —Katie Mathews, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026

For example, there was no mention of steroids with the McGwire top-10 candidacy or the debate about the worthiness of Bonds on the list. —Michael Salfino, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026

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