Cholesterol Definition

kə-lĕstə-rôl, -rōl
chol
noun
A white, crystalline sterol, C27H45OH, found esp. in animal fats, blood, nerve tissue, and bile: a precursor of steroidal hormones and, if present in the blood in excessive amounts, a factor in atherosclerosis.
Webster's New World
A white crystalline substance, C27 H45 OH, that is found in animal tissues and various foods and is important as a constituent of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones. Cholesterol is normally synthesized by the liver and is transported through the bloodstream by different types of lipoproteins, two of which (HDL and LDL) are routinely measured in blood tests.
American Heritage
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Cholesterol

Noun

Singular:
cholesterol
Plural:
cholesterols

Origin of Cholesterol

  • cholester(in) former name for cholesterol (chole–) (Greek stereos solid ster-1 in Indo-European roots) (–in) –ol (so called because it was first found in gallstones)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • cholester(in) former name for cholesterol (chole–) (Greek stereos solid ster-1 in Indo-European roots) (–in) –ol (so called because it was first found in gallstones)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French cholestérol.

    From Wiktionary

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