cholesterol

noun

cho·les·ter·ol | \ kə-ˈle-stə-ˌrōl

, -ˌrȯl\

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

Examples of cholesterol in a Sentence

Did your doctor check your cholesterol?

Recent Examples on the Web

The class discusses ways to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health and offers tips on fall prevention and improving sleep. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Square dance club holds community hoedowns ...North County events," 5 June 2019 The cinnamon rolls are free of dairy, lactose, eggs or cholesterol. — Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, "Cinnaholic cinnamon rolls coming to Concord," 5 June 2019 The researchers also looked at the size of cholesterol particles. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "White meat is just as bad for you as red beef when it comes to your cholesterol level, study says," 4 June 2019 Certain medications like statins (which are used for cholesterol), blood pressure-lowering medications, and opioids are all known to naturally evoke an itchy sensation that’s not necessarily accompanied by any skin lesions. — Ratika Gupta, SELF, "An Allergist Explains Why You Might Be Itchy All Over, Even Though You Don’t Have a Rash," 13 Sep. 2018 Sometimes shrimp get a bad rap for their high cholesterol. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "National Shrimp Day: How to buy, store and cook the seafood favorite," 9 May 2018 Excessive weight gain around the belly can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. — Jo Yurcaba, Woman's Day, "Why Menopause Causes Weight Gain and Why You Shouldn't Worry," 21 May 2019 But newer research suggests that probiotics also have the potential to help prevent or treat other conditions, such as high cholesterol, allergies, and even anxiety. — Beth Janes, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Probiotics, According to Experts," 11 May 2019 This arrangement yielded worse eggs—not only tasteless but high in cholesterol and lower in vitamins. — Tamar Adler, Vogue, "Why Pastured Eggs Are the Perfect Food," 13 Sep. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

15 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for cholesterol

The first known use of cholesterol was in 1894

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More Definitions for cholesterol

cholesterol

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cholesterol

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

See the full definition for cholesterol in the English Language Learners 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