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
Did your doctor check your cholesterol?
Recent Examples of cholesterol from the Web
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A diet consistent with onions is also credited with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
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Per serving (based on 8): 415 calories, 11 grams protein, 20 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugar, 33 grams fat, 184 milligrams cholesterol, 812 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.
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Heat can raise blood pressure and worsen cholesterol levels.
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Per serving: 752 calories (60 percent from fat), 50 g fat (24 g saturated fat), 12 g carbohydrates, 60 g protein, 1,814 mg sodium, 214 mg cholesterol, 703 mg calcium, 1 g fiber.
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A promising avenue may be adding a daily lipid-lowering drug to the mix, even in patients without the usual signs of trouble such as high cholesterol or blood pressure.
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As researchers work to figure out what these findings mean in the quest to keep hearts healthy, your doctors might still use your HDL levels (in conjunction with LDL and total cholesterol) to help predict your cardiovascular-disease risk.
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Per serving: 322 calories (percent calories from fat, 35), 22 grams protein, 28 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, 12 grams fat (5.6 grams saturated fat), 60 milligrams cholesterol, 346 milligrams sodium.
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This family of genes is involved in drug metabolism, in oxidizing fatty acids, and in synthesizing steroids from cholesterol.
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
First Known Use: 1894
Other Biochemistry Terms
CHOLESTEROL Defined for English Language Learners
cholesterol
playDefinition of cholesterol for English Language Learners
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: a substance that is found in the bodies of people and animals
Medical Dictionary
cholesterol
playMedical 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
Learn More about cholesterol
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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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