steroid science definition

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.

Related Forms:

• steroidal steroidal adjective