steroids
|ste-roids|
/ˈstɛrɔɪdz/
(steroid)
organic compound class
Etymology
'steroid' originates from Modern scientific coinage, formed from 'sterol' + the suffix '-oid' (from Greek 'eidos' meaning 'form' or 'likeness').
'steroid' was formed in the early 20th century from 'sterol' (a type of lipid alcohol) combined with the suffix '-oid'; the term entered English scientific usage via German and international biochemical literature and became established in English chemistry and medicine.
Initially it referred specifically to compounds related to sterols; over time the term broadened to denote a major class of biologically important four-ring compounds and later to the pharmacological drug categories (anabolic steroids, corticosteroids) and figurative uses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
any of a large class of organic compounds with a characteristic four-ring carbon structure; includes many hormones and structural molecules (chemical/biological sense).
Many hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, are steroids.
Synonyms
Noun 2
drugs that mimic or influence hormones; commonly used senses include anabolic steroids (to promote muscle growth) and corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation).
Some athletes illegally use steroids to increase muscle mass.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/08/25 22:54