performance-enhancing drug
noun
: a substance (such as an anabolic steroid, human growth hormone, or erythropoietin) that is used illicitly to improve athletic performance
In the United States, more than 1 million elite and recreational athletes use performance-enhancing drugs for muscle building purposes.—
Josiah D. Rich et al.
Josiah D. Rich et al.…33 of the 48 major and minor league players suspended by baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs since the start of 2006 were pitchers.—Sean Gregory
Sean GregoryRoger Bannister, the first person to run a subpar four-minute mile, said today he thought that increased use of blood testing could help curb the use of performance-enhancing drugs by track and field athletes.—The New York Times
—abbreviation PED
The New York TimesExamples of performance-enhancing drug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts say that the use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids, as well as better analytics and player training, all likely contribute to the increase, too.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
That same year, he was suspended for 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 July 2025
The story of performance-enhancing drugs in sports is a cautionary tale about the human desire for an edge and the integrity of competition.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Lillis goes to great lengths to explain the confusing and complicated array of medicines and performance-enhancing drugs – legal and otherwise – administered to the horses.
—Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for performance-enhancing drug
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
That same year, he was suspended for 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 July 2025
The story of performance-enhancing drugs in sports is a cautionary tale about the human desire for an edge and the integrity of competition.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Lillis goes to great lengths to explain the confusing and complicated array of medicines and performance-enhancing drugs – legal and otherwise – administered to the horses.
—Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for performance-enhancing drug
Cite this Entry
“Performance-enhancing drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/performance-enhancing%20drug. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share