antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌan-tē-ˈäk-sə-dənt 

ˌan-ˌtī-

: a substance (such as beta-carotene or vitamin C) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals

antioxidant adjective

Examples of antioxidant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and aids the defense against free-radical damage, especially from electronic devices and blue light. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025

Coffee has antioxidants that promote anti-inflammatory gut bacteria. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025

In addition to hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, this serum contains vitamin E, another free radical-fighting antioxidant that softens and smoothes skin. —Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025

Amino acids are useful for building proteins in our body, and polyphenols are antioxidants that show promise as anti-inflammatory compounds. —Arminda Downey-Mavromatis, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antioxidant

• oxidant

Kids Definition

antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌant-ē-ˈäk-səd-ənt 

ˌan-ˌtī-

: a substance that opposes oxidation or prevents or makes difficult reactions made easier by oxygen

Medical Definition

antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌant-ē-ˈäk-səd-ənt, ˌan-ˌtī- 

: any of various substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides and that include many held to protect the living body from the deleterious effects of free radicals

antioxidant adjective