cholesterol

noun cho·les·ter·ol \ kə-ˈles-tə-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

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Examples of cholesterol in a Sentence

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Recent Examples of cholesterol from the Web

Merck would likely price the bill somewhere between the two extremes that now define the market for cholesterol drugs.

— linda a. johnson, The Seattle Times, "New drug reduces heart attacks, but is that enough?," 28 Aug. 2017
Per serving: 288 calories (30 percent from fat), 9.7 g fat (1.9 g saturated, 3 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 6.2 g protein, 44.3 g carbohydrates, 4.7 g fiber, 9 mg sodium.

— linda gassenheimer, miamiherald, "Pork tenderloin gets a zesty boost from peach salsa," 22 Aug. 2017
Per serving, based on 4: 389 calories (33 percent from fat), 15 grams total fat (2 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 65 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, 269 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "KC community garden volunteer finds the perfect use for summer tomato bounty," 15 Aug. 2017
Nutritional analysis per serving: 208 calories, 7 grams fat, 31 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams protein, 29 milligrams cholesterol, 100 milligrams sodium, no dietary fiber, 31 percent of calories from fat.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "These French-inspired desserts are deliciously simple," 14 Aug. 2017
Ford said that state government could also provide added benefits to state employees who pass health screenings, which would include blood pressure and cholesterol checks.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Amusement park flap highlights Alabama's obesity crisis," 31 July 2017
A lawsuit filed in 2014 over Pfizer Inc.’s anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor, for example, has 91 plaintiffs.

— margaret cronin fisk, Bloomberg.com, "The Supreme Court Delivers a Blow to Plaintiff Paradise," 26 July 2017
Per serving, based on 4: 198 calories (54 percent from fat), 13 grams total fat (2 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 18 grams carbohydrates, 6 grams protein, 681 milligrams sodium, 3 grams dietary fiber.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "Healthy Cucumber Melon Salad recipe gets an Asian twist with fish sauce," 18 July 2017
Studies suggest the acetic acid in vinegar may help reduce fat production in the liver and improve blood cholesterol levels overall.

— jaclyn london, ms, rd, Good Housekeeping, "10 Apple Cider Vinegar Myths You Should Stop Believing ASAP," 5 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1894

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Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

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

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cholesterol

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