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steroids - 3 dictionary results

ste⋅roid

  [steer-oid, ster-] Biochemistry
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–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-] . pertaining to or characteristic of a steroid.
Origin:
1925–30; ster(ol) + -oid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ster·oid   (stîr'oid', stěr'-)   
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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steroid   (stěr'oid')  Pronunciation Key 
  1. 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.
  2. Any of various hormones having the structure of a steroid that are made synthetically, especially for use in medicine.
  3. An anabolic steroid.

steroidal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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