Main Entry:

cho·les·ter·ol

Pronunciation:

\kə-ˈles-tə-ˌrōl, -ˌrȯl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

International Scientific Vocabulary, from chol- + Greek stereos solid

Date:

1894

: a steroid alcohol C₂₇H₄₅OH that is present in animal cells and body fluids, regulates membrane fluidity, and functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways and as a constituent of LDL may cause arteriosclerosis — compare bad cholesterol, good cholesterol