What does nonsteroid mean?
A nonsteroid is a substance, especially a medicine, whose chemical structure is not that of a steroid. In medical and pharmaceutical contexts, the word is often used informally for a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. These medicines help reduce pain, fever, and inflammation by acting through mechanisms different from those of corticosteroid drugs. The term is useful when discussing the broad class of medicines that are not steroids, although the standard full expression “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug” is generally clearer. Outside medicine, “nonsteroid” can refer more generally to any nonsteroidal chemical or biological substance. Its meaning depends chiefly on the context and on whether the word is being used as a noun by itself or as part of a longer technical expression.
A substance, especially a medicine, that is not a steroid; in medical contexts, often a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
"The pharmacist explained that the recommended medicine was a nonsteroid rather than a steroid-based treatment."
Denoting a substance or medicine that is not a steroid.
"Researchers are studying the potential anti-inflammatory effects of this nonsteroid compound."
The plural is used when referring to multiple substances or medicines of this kind.
"Several common nonsteroids are used to treat mild pain and inflammation."
The prefix “non-” does more than negate a word: it identifies a large family of medicines that provide anti-inflammatory effects without the chemical structure of steroids.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonsteroid come from?
The word is formed from the prefix non-, meaning “not,” and steroid. “Steroid” comes from a group of chemical compounds and ultimately from Greek stear, meaning “fat” or “stearin,” reflecting the original naming of substances with a fat-related molecular structure. The prefix non- was added to distinguish substances that do not belong to that class, especially medicines with anti-inflammatory effects that are not steroids.
Related word forms
How nonsteroid is actually used
The term is most often used in medical and pharmacological contexts. In general use, it may specifically mean a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, although the adjective “nonsteroidal” is more usual in that expanded sense.