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cholesterol

noun cho·les·ter·ol \ kə-ˈles-tə-ˌrōl , -ˌrȯl \
|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of cholesterol

: 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 atherosclerosis — compare bad cholesterol, good cholesterol

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Examples of cholesterol in a Sentence

  1. Did your doctor check your cholesterol?

Recent Examples of cholesterol from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cholesterol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cholesterol

International Scientific Vocabulary, from chol- + Greek stereos solid

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

Phrases Related to CHOLESTEROL

Related Phrases

CHOLESTEROL Defined for English Language Learners

cholesterol

noun

Definition of cholesterol for English Language Learners

  • : a substance that is found in the bodies of people and animals

Medical Dictionary

cholesterol

noun cho·les·ter·ol \ kə-ˈles-tə-ˌrōl, -ˌrȯl \

medical Definition of cholesterol

: a steroid alcohol C27H45OH that is present in animal cells and body fluids, regulates membrane fluidity, functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways, and as a constituent of LDL may cause atherosclerosis
  • Cholesterol is a lipid present in the cell membrane and subcellular organelles of tissues throughout the body. … In addition, cholesterol serves as the building block for all steroid hormones including cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
  • —Sarah de Ferranti and David S. Ludwig,  The New England Journal of Medicine,  25 Sept. 2008
  • … the drug reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver, decreasing the amount of artery-clogging cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream.
  • —Newsweek,  8 Dec. 1986

Illustration of cholesterol

illustration of cholesterol

Learn More about cholesterol

  1. See words that rhyme with cholesterol Spanish Central: Translation of cholesterol Nglish: Translation of cholesterol for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cholesterol for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cholesterol

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