bad cholesterol

noun

: a lipoprotein of blood plasma that is associated with increased probability of developing atherosclerosis : ldl

The two-year study of 507 patients is the most ambitious yet to test whether driving down bad cholesterol turns back the clock on plaque buildup in coronary arteries.

—Steve Sternberg

A growing body of research suggests that atherosclerosis probably traces to oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol.

—Janet Raloff

compare good cholesterol

Examples of bad cholesterol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Takeaways Avocado oil may help lower bad cholesterol and decrease heart disease risk. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026

These elements are credited with lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol, fighting inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

This is because risk is determined more so by the number of particles that the bad cholesterol is packaged into, as opposed to the total mass of bad cholesterol that’s floating around. —Mary J. Scourboutakos, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025

This type of fat can help lower levels of bad cholesterol, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL). —Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bad cholesterol

• chloramphenicol
• dithiothreitol
• geospatial
• isopropanol
• meridional
• paracetamol
• peroxisomal
• visuospatial
• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball

Medical Definition

bad cholesterol

noun

ˈbad- 

: ldl