steroid definition |Dictionary.com

steroid

7 dictionary results for: steroid

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ste·roid

[steer-oid, ster-] Pronunciation Key Biochemistry

–noun

1.	any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds, as the sterols, bile acids, and sex hormones, most of which have specific physiological action.

–adjective

2.	Also, ste·roi·dal [sti-roid-l, ste-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation. pertaining to or characteristic of a steroid.

[Origin: 1925–30; ster(ol) + -oid

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ster·oid (stîr'oid', stěr'-) Pronunciation Key
n. Any of numerous naturally occurring or synthetic fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings and including the sterols and bile acids, adrenal and sex hormones, certain natural drugs such as digitalis compounds, and the precursors of certain vitamins.

[ster(ol) + -oid.]

ste'roid', ste·roid'al (stĭ-roid'l, stě-) adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
steroid

1936, from sterol (1913), abstracted from (chole)sterol + -oid, from Gk. -oeides "-like," from eidos "form, shape" (see -oid).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

steroid
noun
1.	any of several fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms in four rings; many have important physiological effects
2.	any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs [syn: steroid hormone]

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The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

steroid (stěr'oid') Pronunciation Key

Any of a large class of organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings fused together. Steroids include many biologically important compounds, including cholesterol and other sterols, the sex hormones (such as testosterone and estrogen), bile acids, adrenal hormones, plant alkaloids, and certain forms of vitamins.
Any of various hormones having the structure of a steroid that are made synthetically, especially for use in medicine.
An anabolic steroid.

steroidal adjective

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American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
steroid

A group of molecules that includes cholesterol. The sex hormones estrogen and testosterone are built from steroids, as are many modern anti-inflammatory drugs.

Note: Steroids are often used illegally to increase the performance of competitive athletes of almost all age groups. They are banned in many athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games.

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

steroid ster·oid (stěr'oid', stēr'-)
n.
Any of numerous naturally occurring or synthetic fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms arranged in four rings and including the sterols and bile acids, adrenocortical and sex hormones, certain natural drugs such as digitalis compounds, and the precursors of certain vitamins. Also called steroid hormone. adj. ste·roid·al (stĭ-roid', stě-)
Relating to or characteristic of steroids or steroid hormones.

ster'oid' or ste·roid'al (stĭ-roid'l, stě-) adj.

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