Definition: The high-density lipoprotein fraction of cholesterol that helps prevent heart disease by breaking up and carrying the low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) out of the bloodstream and into the liver for metabolism.
Pronunciation: H-D-L koh-LES-ter-all
Also Known As: "good” cholesterol
Examples: She was relieved when the lab results showed that her HDL cholesterol was high.