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
Fifty steroids have been shown to be present in the adrenal cortex. Only seven of these, however, have been shown to exert a significant biological effect related to adrenal cortical function.—
John E. Hoover
John E. Hoover
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
Rick Reilly
Phrases
on steroids
1
: taking anabolic steroids
an athlete accused of being on steroids
The term [road rage] was presumably based on "roid rage," referring to sudden violent activity by people on steroids.—Michael Fumento
Michael Fumento2
informal
: greatly increased in size or power beyond what is normal or usual
With one giant claw and one smaller one, the creature looks like a fiddler crab on steroids.—Don Wilson
Don Wilson… the inflation of a military budget that already looks as though it's on steroids.—Donald Kaul
Donald KaulOnly technology could cook it in record time. A microwave oven on steroids, that cooks eight times faster than other conventional ovens.—James Hattori et al.
James Hattori et al.Examples of steroid in a Sentence
He was accused of taking steroids.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Drug Enforcement Agency, at President Joe Biden’s behest, is considering whether to reclassify cannabis from a drug on par with heroin to one recognized as having moderate-to-low potential for physical and psychological dependence, like ketamine or steroids.
—Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Don't buy homemade creams or products from unknown sellers: Skin-lightening products, including kojic acid products, can contain heavy metals and steroids.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
And everything that people hate about politics went on steroids: after Trump abused his power, work on anything productive out of Washington ground to a halt.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Too much steroid in the bloodstream can cause Cushing's syndrome (hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol) or increase the risk of side effects, such as high blood pressure or fluid retention.13
7.
—Ross Phan, Pharmd, Bcacp, Bcgp, Bcps, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steroid 
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Lavanya Ramanathan, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Don't buy homemade creams or products from unknown sellers: Skin-lightening products, including kojic acid products, can contain heavy metals and steroids.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
And everything that people hate about politics went on steroids: after Trump abused his power, work on anything productive out of Washington ground to a halt.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
Too much steroid in the bloodstream can cause Cushing's syndrome (hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol) or increase the risk of side effects, such as high blood pressure or fluid retention.13
7.
—Ross Phan, Pharmd, Bcacp, Bcgp, Bcps, Verywell Health, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for steroid
Dictionary Entries Near steroid
Cite this Entry
“Steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steroid. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
steroid
noun
ste·roid
ˈstir-ˌȯid
ˈster-
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
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