cholesterol

American  

[kuh-les-tuh-rohl, -rawl] / kəˈlɛs təˌroʊl, -ˌrɔl /

Also cholesterin

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.

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cholesterol British  

/ kəˈlɛstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. Former name: cholesterin.  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

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cholesterol Scientific  

/ 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 low-density lipoprotein

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cholesterol Cultural  

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.)

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Etymology

Origin of cholesterol

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

Example Sentences

From zero to 1,000, calcium scores are guiding doctors on how to assess heart disease and set cholesterol goals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The more calcium you have in your heart, the lower your LDL cholesterol should be to help reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Patients treated with evolocumab experienced much larger reductions in cholesterol.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

"These results demonstrate the benefit of intensive lowering cholesterol earlier and should change how we think about the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease in patients without known significant atherosclerosis."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

She never mentioned the cholesterol in all those pies and brownies her mother made.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech