# steroid

/stɝˈɔɪd/ (US) · /stˈɛɹɔɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/steroid
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a powerful chemical that can be a medicine or a drug used by athletes to grow bigger muscles. You might take them to treat an illness or, illegally, to get stronger for sports.

For teachers: any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds, including certain hormones and vitamins, that share a specific four-ring structure. In common usage, refers to synthetic hormones used to reduce inflammation or to enhance athletic performance by increasing muscle mass.

## Examples

- The doctor prescribed a steroid cream for my skin rash.
- The athlete was banned from the competition after testing positive for a performance-enhancing steroid.
- While corticosteroids are essential for managing chronic autoimmune conditions, the misuse of anabolic steroids in professional bodybuilding remains a significant ethical and medical concern.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the plural when referring to the drugs in a general or medical context.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.