ster·oid (stîr oid , st r-)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. ste roid, ste·roidal (st -roidl, st-) adj. |
steroid [ˈstɪərɔɪd ˈstɛr-]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) Biochem any of a large group of fat-soluble organic compounds containing a characteristic chemical ring system. The majority, including the sterols, bile acids, many hormones, and the D vitamins, have important physiological action
[from sterol + -oid]
steroidal adj
| steroid (stroid) 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 |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  steroid - any of several fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms in four rings; many have important physiological effectsorganic compound - any compound of carbon and another element or a radical ketosteroid - a steroid containing a ketone group steroid alcohol, sterol - any of a group of natural steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals; they are waxy insoluble substances bile acid - any of the steroid acids generated in the liver and stored with bile cardiac glucoside, cardiac glycoside - obtained from a number of plants and used to stimulate the heart in cases of heart failure |
| 2. | steroid - any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs endocrine, hormone, internal secretion - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect progestin, progestogen - any of a group of steroid hormones that have the effect of progesterone androgen, androgenic hormone - male sex hormone that is produced in the testes and responsible for typical male sexual characteristics estrogen, oestrogen - a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics adrenal cortical steroid, corticoid, corticosteroid - a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex or synthesized; administered as drugs they reduce swelling and decrease the body's immune response; "adrenal cortical steroids are used to treat many different conditions" anabolic steroid - any of a group of synthetic steroid hormones used to stimulate muscle and bone growth; more than 100 have been developed and each requires a prescription to be used legally in the United States; sometimes used illicitly by athletes to increase their strength |
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