beta-carotene

noun

be·​ta-car·​o·​tene ˈbā-tə-ˈker-ə-ˌtēn 

-ˈka-rə-

: an isomer of carotene found in dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits

Examples of beta-carotene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Antioxidants Boost Heart and Brain Health Apricots contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 16 June 2025

Carrots do contain beta-carotene, an active form of vitamin A that can be converted by the body into retinol as needed. —Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 12 June 2025

Like other dark, leafy green vegetables, beet greens contain nitrates and are high in beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025

On top of the fiber content, pumpkin also delivers a bunch of potassium and beta-carotene, a compound responsible for that bright orange color that your body turns into vitamin A. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for beta-carotene

• antisubmarine
• catecholamine
• dichlorobenzene
• dimethylamine
• diphenylamine
• ethanolamine
• hydroxylamine
• isobutylene
• mercaptopurine
• nucleoprotein
• penicillamine
• phenothiazine

Kids Definition

beta-carotene

noun

be·​ta-car·​o·​tene

-ˈkar-ə-ˌtēn

: a form of carotene found in dark green and dark yellow vegetables and fruits

Medical Definition

beta-carotene

noun

be·​ta-car·​o·​tene

variants or β-carotene

-ˈkar-ə-ˌtēn 

: a reddish-orange pigment that is an an isomer of carotene found chiefly in orange and dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits (such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach) and that is converted to vitamin A in the body

Note: Beta-carotene is the most active and widespread provitamin A and is derived commercially from natural sources or is prepared synthetically.