sterol

[ steer-awl, -ol, ster- ]
/ ˈstɪər ɔl, -ɒl, ˈstɛr- /

noun Biochemistry.

any of a group of solid, mostly unsaturated, polycyclic alcohols, as cholesterol and ergosterol, derived from plants or animals.

Origin of sterol

1910–15; extracted from such words as cholesterol, ergosterol, etc.

British Dictionary definitions for sterol

sterol
/ (ˈstɛrɒl) /

noun

biochem any of a group of natural steroid alcohols, such as cholesterol and ergosterol, that are waxy insoluble substances

Word Origin for sterol

C20: shortened from cholesterol, ergosterol, etc

Medical definitions for sterol

sterol
[ stĕrôl′, -ōl′, stîr- ]

n.

Any of a group of predominantly unsaturated solid alcohols of the steroid group, such as cholesterol and ergosterol, present in the fatty tissues of plants and animals.

Scientific definitions for sterol

sterol
[ stîrôl′ ]

Any of various alcohols having the structure of a steroid, usually with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the third carbon atom. Sterols are found in the tissues of animals, plants, fungi, and yeasts and include cholesterol.