noun
steroid
STEH-royd
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
Word Forms
steroids plural
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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.