sterol

noun

ste·​rol ˈstir-ˌȯl How to pronounce sterol (audio)
ˈster-,
-ˌōl
: any of various solid steroid alcohols (such as cholesterol) widely distributed in animal and plant lipids

Examples of sterol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The rays hit sterol compounds, found in the cells of plants, animals and fungi, and start a conversion process. Christie Aschwanden, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023 Why would sterols become more complicated over time? Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 Whatever the reason, the sterol shift was evolutionarily significant. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 Fortified Foods Plant sterols and stanols, which help reduce LDL cholesterol, are naturally present in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 20 June 2023 But in older rocks, remains of sterols seemed to be missing. Bygretchen Vogel, science.org, 7 June 2023 Some foods that may be fortified with plant sterols and stanols include:9 Bread Cheese Margarine Milk Orange juice Read each product's label to find out the appropriate serving size. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 20 June 2023 Some nuts naturally contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower cholesterol. Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 12 June 2023 Cholesterol belongs to a family of similar molecules called sterols. Bygretchen Vogel, science.org, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sterol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from -sterol (as in cholesterol)

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sterol was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near sterol

Cite this Entry

“Sterol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterol. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sterol

noun
ste·​rol ˈsti(ə)r-ˌȯl How to pronounce sterol (audio) ˈste(ə)r- How to pronounce sterol (audio)
-ˌōl
: any of various solid steroid alcohols (as cholesterol) widely distributed in animal and plant lipids

More from Merriam-Webster on sterol

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