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cholesterol

Pronunciation: /kəˈlɛstərɒl/
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Definition of cholesterol

noun

[mass noun]
  • a compound of the sterol type found in most body tissues. Cholesterol and its derivatives are important constituents of cell membranes and precursors of other steroid compounds, but high concentrations in the blood are thought to promote atherosclerosis.
    • Chemical formula: C27H45OH

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek kholē 'bile' + stereos 'stiff' + -ol

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Spell cholesterol with ch- at the beginning and -sterol at the end.

cholesterol in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cholesterol in the US English dictionary