ergosterol

noun

er·​gos·​ter·​ol (ˌ)ər-ˈgä-stə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce ergosterol (audio) -ˌrōl How to pronounce ergosterol (audio)
: a crystalline steroid alcohol C28H44O that occurs especially in yeast, molds, and ergot and is converted by ultraviolet irradiation ultimately into vitamin D2

Examples of ergosterol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other eukaryotes—organisms with complex cells—produce their own sterols, including stigmasterol in plants and ergosterol in fungi. Bygretchen Vogel, science.org, 7 June 2023 The less ergosterol the fungi produced, the less the insects groomed each other. Byclaudia Lopez Lloreda, science.org, 10 Feb. 2023 Fluconazole inhibits the growth of yeast by decreasing the production of ergosterol. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 7 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ergosterol was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near ergosterol

Cite this Entry

“Ergosterol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergosterol. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ergosterol

noun
er·​gos·​ter·​ol (ˌ)ər-ˈgäs-tə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce ergosterol (audio) -ˌrōl How to pronounce ergosterol (audio)
: a crystalline steroid alcohol C28H44O that occurs especially in yeast, molds, and ergot and is converted by ultraviolet irradiation ultimately into vitamin D2

More from Merriam-Webster on ergosterol

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!