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
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of cholesterol in a Sentence
Did your doctor check your cholesterol?
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
-
: 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
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up cholesterol? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!