anabolic steroid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “anabolic steroid” mean?
A synthetic hormone that resembles testosterone, primarily used to promote muscle growth and tissue repair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic hormone that resembles testosterone, primarily used to promote muscle growth and tissue repair.
Any of a group of synthetic hormones, derived from testosterone or its derivatives, which increase protein synthesis within cells, leading to the buildup of cellular tissue, especially in muscles. Their use is widespread in medical contexts to treat certain conditions but is controversial and often banned in sports for performance enhancement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions apply to surrounding text (e.g., 'steroid use' vs 'steroid use').
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both sports and non-medical contexts. In medical contexts, the term is neutral.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, spiking in news related to sports scandals or medical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “anabolic steroid” in a Sentence
The athlete was caught using [anabolic steroids].Doctors may prescribe [anabolic steroids] for [specific conditions].[Anabolic steroid] abuse can lead to [serious health problems].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anabolic steroid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The athlete was found to have been **steroiding** for months before the competition.
- He was accused of **using** anabolic steroids.
American English
- The bodybuilder was suspected of **juicing** (slang verb from 'juice').
- Athletes who **dope** often use anabolic steroids.
adverb
British English
- He was training **anaerobically** and, allegedly, **pharmaceutically enhanced**. (No direct adverb form)
American English
- No standard adverb derived directly from 'anabolic steroid'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceuticals (e.g., 'The company halted development of the anabolic steroid compound.') or scandal management.
Academic
Common in medical, sports science, and bioethics papers.
Everyday
Used with strong negative connotations in discussions of cheating in sports or dangerous bodybuilding practices.
Technical
Precise term in endocrinology, pharmacology, and sports medicine for a specific class of synthetic hormones.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anabolic steroid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anabolic steroid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anabolic steroid”
- Pronouncing 'anabolic' as /ˈæn.ə.bəʊl.ɪk/ (stress error). Using 'steroids' alone to always mean 'anabolic steroids' (steroids is a broader class). Misspelling as 'anabolic steriod'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different classes. Anabolic steroids build tissue; corticosteroids (like cortisone) reduce inflammation.
Yes, with a valid medical prescription for conditions like delayed puberty, muscle wasting from diseases like HIV/AIDS, or certain types of anemia.
They are considered performance-enhancing drugs that provide an unfair advantage and pose significant health risks to athletes.
It comes from 'anabolism', the metabolic process that builds complex molecules (like muscle protein) from simpler ones, promoting growth and repair.
A synthetic hormone that resembles testosterone, primarily used to promote muscle growth and tissue repair.
Anabolic steroid is usually formal / technical / medical in register.
Anabolic steroid: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˌbɒl.ɪk ˈstɛr.ɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˌbɑː.lɪk ˈstɛr.ɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's on the juice. (slang, implies anabolic steroid use)”
- “Roid rage. (slang for aggressive behaviour linked to steroid use)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a builder (anabolic) using strong, synthetic STEEL rods (steroids) to build massive muscles.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSCLE GROWTH IS CONSTRUCTION (anabolic = building up). CHEATING IN SPORTS IS POLLUTION/CORRUPTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'anabolic steroid' most likely to be used neutrally?