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anabolic steroid
noun
: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance
Examples of anabolic steroid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Berhan was charged Wednesday with possessing anabolic steroids with intent to distribute them in May 2021, a felony that carries up to 10 years in federal prison and a $500,000 maximum fine.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Also in 2002, Dr. Catlin identified for the first time a designer anabolic steroid, norbolethone, in an athlete’s urine after it had been introduced to athletes at Balco by the chemist Patrick Arnold.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024
In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration downgrade marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, classifying it alongside anabolic steroids, testosterone and ketamine — and loosening federal scrutiny.
—John Aguilar, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024
Oxymetholone is an anabolic steroid that can promote muscle gain and strength for people with anemia.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 16 June 2023
Testosterone Supplements Taking supplemental testosterone, either testosterone or anabolic steroids approved by the Food and Drug Administration, to bulk up muscle or boost stamina may contribute to male infertility.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023
The results can also be affected if by biotin (B7) supplements taken in the last eight hours, anabolic steroids or other steroidal medications taken in the last three to six months, or steroid creams used in the past week.
—Lindsay Modglin, Health, 1 Sep. 2023
Those who know the side effects of anabolic steroids are switching to legal steroid alternatives.
—Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023
Controlled medications include many stimulants, sedatives, opioid painkillers, and anabolic steroids.
—Arielle Zionts, oregonlive, 8 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anabolic steroid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near anabolic steroid
Cite this Entry
“Anabolic steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anabolic%20steroid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
anabolic steroid
noun
: any of several man-made hormones that are used in medicine to help tissue grow, that are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle size and strength, and that may have harmful effects (as stunted growth in teenagers)
Medical Definition
anabolic steroid
noun
: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance
More from Merriam-Webster on anabolic steroid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anabolic steroid
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