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# steroid

noun (a steroid, steroids)

«steroid» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A steroid is a kind of chemical, made in the body or as a medicine, that can calm swelling or act like hormones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#m1)
2. Steroid creams and inhalers are medicines doctors give for eczema, asthma and other illnesses. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#m2)
3. Steroids (anabolic steroids) are also drugs some people take to build muscles; using them like this is often against sports rules and can harm health. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#m3)
4. (informal) «On steroids» means much bigger or stronger than usual: «It's like a skateboard on steroids». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#m4)

### In the lessons

In health lessons, children learn that a brown asthma inhaler may contain a steroid medicine that is safe when a doctor prescribes it. In sport and news, athletes can be banned for taking steroids to cheat. Informally, «on steroids» is a funny way to say «extra powerful». Phrases: «steroid cream», «steroid inhaler», «on steroids», «tested for steroids».

### Examples

- The doctor gave me a steroid cream for my eczema. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x1)
- My brown inhaler has a small dose of steroid in it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x2)
- The runner was banned for taking steroids. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x3)
- Taking steroids without a doctor can damage your heart. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x4)
- This new bike is like a scooter on steroids. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x5)
- Your body makes some steroids naturally, like hormones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/#x6)

### Note

Countable; often plural «steroids». Medicine steroids from a doctor are not the same as muscle-building steroids misused in sport. Pronounced STEER-oyd or STAIR-oyd.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «steroid» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steroid/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«steroid» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/steroid.html) on Mova free.