STEROID

n. any of a number of fat-soluble organic compounds (including sterols, bile acids, etc.)

A steroid is a terpenoid lipid characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings, generally arranged in a 6-6-6-5 fashion.Steroids vary by the functional groups attached to these rings and the oxidation state of the rings. Hundreds of distinct steroids are found in plants, animals, and fungi. All steroids are made in cells either from the sterol lanosterol (animals and fungi) or the sterol cycloartenol (plants). Both sterols are derived from the cyclization of the triterpene squalene.
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Steroid /ster·oid/ any of a group of lipids with a specific 7-carbon-atom ring system as a nucleus, such as progesterone, adrenocortical and gonadal [more]Steroid - Community and Resources

Noun
1. any of several fat-soluble organic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon atoms in four rings; many have important physiological effects
(hypernym) organic compound
(hyponym) ketosteroid
2. any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs
(synonym) steroid hormone, sex hormone
(hypernym) hormone, endocrine, internal secretion
(hyponym) progestin, progestogen

n. steroid, compound including sterols and hormones