carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (such as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods

Examples of carbohydrate in a Sentence

a food that is low in protein but high in carbohydrate

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite Modelo Especial currently being the best-selling beer in America, lower-alcohol beers, and beers espousing low carbohydrate content, have been growing in popularity. —Don Tse, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

However, when the carbohydrates are all burned up, the body starts to rely on fat stores, including, according to the study, the fatty myelin in the brain. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025

This diet eliminates certain carbohydrates, like wheat, onion, and high-fructose corn syrup. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 2 Apr. 2025

It has also been demonstrated that large forest trees transfer carbohydrates to smaller or weaker trees. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carbohydrate

• complex carbohydrate

Rhymes for carbohydrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, or celluloses) most of which are formed by plants and are a major animal food

Medical Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate -ˌdrāt, -drət 

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods