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
While waiting on results from the Mayo Clinic, doctors started her on steroids.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 16 July 2025
The committee chair has the power to subpoena witnesses and the broad authority to dig into virtually any topic — that has included the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, steroid usage in Major League Baseball, and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 11 July 2025
This is often prescribed alongside a mild steroid and hydroquinone in a formulation known as triple combination cream.8
Over-the-Counter Skin Lighteners
Products with gentler active ingredients are available without a prescription.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 6 July 2025
However, the revelation that Johnson was using steroids seemed to disillusion some who had attempted to follow his regimen.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steroid
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jordan Greene, People.com, 16 July 2025
The committee chair has the power to subpoena witnesses and the broad authority to dig into virtually any topic — that has included the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, steroid usage in Major League Baseball, and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 11 July 2025
This is often prescribed alongside a mild steroid and hydroquinone in a formulation known as triple combination cream.8
Over-the-Counter Skin Lighteners
Products with gentler active ingredients are available without a prescription.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 6 July 2025
However, the revelation that Johnson was using steroids seemed to disillusion some who had attempted to follow his regimen.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for steroid
Cite this Entry
“Steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steroid. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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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