sitosterol

noun si·tos·ter·ol \ sī-ˈtä-stə-ˌrȯl , sə- , -ˌrōl \

Definition of sitosterol

: any of several sterols that are widespread especially in plant products (such as wheat germ or soybean oil) and are used as starting materials for the synthesis of steroid hormones

Origin and Etymology of sitosterol

Greek sitos grain + English sterol

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1898

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

sitosterol

noun si·tos·ter·ol \ sī-ˈtäs-tə-ˌrȯl , sə- , -ˌrōl \

medical Definition of sitosterol

: any of several sterols that occur widely in plant products (as wheat germ or soybean oil) and are used in the synthesis of steroid hormones; especially : beta-sitosterol