sterol - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

sterol

|ste-rol|

/ˈstɪərɒl/

solid alcohol

Etymology

Etymology Information

'sterol' originates from the Greek word 'stereos,' meaning 'solid,' and the suffix '-ol,' indicating an alcohol.

Historical Evolution

'stereos' combined with the suffix '-ol' to form the modern English word 'sterol.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to solid alcohols, but now it is used to describe a subgroup of steroids.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a type of organic molecule that is a subgroup of steroids, often found in cell membranes and as precursors to fat-soluble vitamins and hormones.

Cholesterol is a well-known sterol found in animal cells.

Synonyms

Examples

Last updated: 2025/07/06 04:27