cholesterol

[ kuh-les-tuh-rohl, -rawl ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a sterol, C 27 H 46 O, that occurs in all animal tissues, especially in the brain, spinal cord, and adipose tissue, functioning chiefly as a protective agent in the skin and myelin sheaths of nerve cells, a detoxifier in the bloodstream, and as a precursor of many steroids: deposits of cholesterol form in certain pathological conditions, as gallstones and atherosclerotic plaques.
2. the commercial form of this compound, obtained from the spinal cord of cattle, used chiefly as an emulsifying agent in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and in the synthesis of vitamin D.

cholesterol

/ kəˈlɛstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a sterol found in all animal tissues, blood, bile, and animal fats: a precursor of other body steroids. A high level of cholesterol in the blood is implicated in some cases of atherosclerosis, leading to heart disease. Formula: C 27 H 45 OH Former namecholesterinkəˈlɛstərɪn

cholesterol

/ kə-lĕs′tə-rôl′ /

1. A sterol found widely in animal and plant tissues. It is a main component of blood plasma and cell membranes, and it is an important precursor of many steroid hormones (such as the estrogens, testosterone, and cortisol), vitamin D 2 , and bile acids. In vertebrates, cholesterol is manufactured by the liver or absorbed from food in the intestine. Higher than normal amounts of cholesterol in the blood are associated with higher risk for developing coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Chemical formula: C 27 H 46 O.
2. See also high-density lipoprotein

cholesterol

1. A white soapy substance found in the tissues of the body and in certain foods, such as animal fats , oils, and egg yolks. Cholesterol has been linked to heart disease and atherosclerosis . (It collects on the walls of arteries and interferes with the flow of blood .) High levels of cholesterol in the blood are considered to be unhealthy. ( See saturated fats , HDL, and LDL.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholesterol¹

First recorded in 1890–95; chole- + Greek ster(eós) “solid” ( stereo- ) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cholesterol¹

C19: from chole- + Greek stereos hard, solid, so called because first observed in gallstones

Example Sentences

Others are a softer mix of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and other substances, and these mixed plaques are more dangerous and likely to rupture.

From Outside Online

Statin drugs are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, and they may help improve coronavirus outcomes in patients who had been taking them prior to hospitalization, according to a new study published in the journal Plos One.

From Popular-Science

More than one in three American adults have high cholesterol, which can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.

From Singularity Hub 

I set aside a small amount of the sauce before adding the shrimp for my sister who is watching her cholesterol.

From Eater

Bile is in fact produced by the liver from cholesterol and then stored in the gallbladder.

From Popular-Science

Or should you swear it off in the name of better cholesterol?

From The Daily Beast

What happens when someone with an eating disorder history is diagnosed with high cholesterol?

From The Daily Beast

At 96 percent water, cukes have no saturated fat or cholesterol, and are very high in vitamin K, vitamin B6 and iron.

From The Daily Beast

And at the end of the study there was no difference in the LDL-cholesterol levels between the two groups!

From The Daily Beast

In fact, half of the people who have cardiac events have “ideal” levels of LDL cholesterol.

From The Daily Beast

Cholesterol was a little below normal in the four cases examined.

From Project Gutenberg

Cholesterol is frequently found in animal fats, and phytosterol is a very similar substance present in vegetable fats.

From Project Gutenberg

The cholesterol in linseed or fish oil, which of course may be present in the soap, also give this reaction.

From Project Gutenberg