noun
Uncommon
steroid
STEH-royd
Steroid (noun) means one of a class of organic compounds, including hormones like testosterone and cortisol, built around a distinctive four-ring carbon structure. Example: “The body naturally produces steroids like cholesterol and testosterone.”
noun
1
One of a class of organic compounds, including hormones like testosterone and cortisol, built around a distinctive four-ring carbon structure.
"The body naturally produces steroids like cholesterol and testosterone."
2
A synthetic drug related to these hormones, often taken illegally to build muscle or boost athletic performance.
"The athlete was banned after testing positive for steroids."
How to use steroid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hormone-related compound the body makes naturally, or a synthetic drug based on one, often linked to bodybuilding and doping in sport.
Common pairings
anabolic steroid
take steroids
steroid use
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Word forms
- Plural
- steroids
Fill the gap
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The body naturally produces _____ like cholesterol and testosterone.
Etymology
Formed from sterol plus the suffix -oid ("resembling"); sterol itself traces back to cholesterol.
Synonyms
View more →
sex hormone
steroid hormone
Rhymes for steroid
See all rhymes for steroid →Frequently asked questions
What does “steroid” mean?
The word “steroid” means one of a class of organic compounds, including hormones like testosterone and cortisol, built around a distinctive four-ring carbon structure. In plain terms, a hormone-related compound the body makes naturally, or a synthetic drug based on one, often linked to bodybuilding and doping in sport.
How do you pronounce “steroid”?
“Steroid” is pronounced STEH-royd (/ˈstɛɹɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “steroid” in a sentence?
Here is “steroid” used in a sentence: “The body naturally produces steroids like cholesterol and testosterone.”
What part of speech is “steroid”?
“Steroid” is a noun.
Is “steroid” a common word?
“Steroid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “steroid” have?
“Steroid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of a class of organic compounds, including hormones like testosterone and cortisol, built around a distinctive four-ring carbon structure.
