steroid

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of a class of organic compounds built around a characteristic structure of four fused carbon rings

   Cholesterol is a steroid that cells use to make several hormones.

2. 2
   noun

   a corticosteroid medicine used to reduce inflammation or alter immune activity

   The doctor prescribed a topical steroid for the inflamed skin.

3. 3
   noun

   an anabolic steroid used medically or taken to increase muscle growth and performance

   The athlete was suspended after testing positive for a banned steroid.

Coined from sterol + -oid ("resembling"). Sterol was shortened from cholesterol, whose name combines Greek khole ("bile") and stereos ("solid"); steroid originally meant a compound resembling a sterol in structure.

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