sterol

noun

ste·​rol ˈstir-ˌȯl 

ˈster-, 

-ˌōl 

: any of various solid steroid alcohols (such as cholesterol) widely distributed in animal and plant lipids

Examples of sterol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aim for 2 g of plant stanols and sterols per day. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026

Flavonoids like hesperidin and plant sterols may be responsible for this effect. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 17 May 2026

In the new study, the team discovered a rarer 31-carbon sterol (C₃₁). — Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

These foods contain plant sterols—natural compounds that resemble cholesterol and help block its absorption in the digestive tract. — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from -sterol (as in cholesterol)

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sterol

• beryl
• feral
• karel
• peril
• seral
• sterile
• carbaryl
• glyceryl
• imperil
• foraminiferal
• tocopherol

Medical Definition

sterol

noun

ste·​rol ˈsti(ə)r-ˌȯl  ˈste(ə)r- 

-ˌōl

: any of various solid steroid alcohols (as cholesterol) widely distributed in animal and plant lipids