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

Limit your intake of high-fat and processed foods and refined carbohydrates. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 Jan. 2025

This may include a diet rich in essential amino acids, minerals, fatty acids and carbohydrates. —Ankur Bindal, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

These starchy tubers, nuts and roots are rich in carbohydrates, thus, would have been an important source of energy for the prehistoric humans who consumed them. —Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Shellfish such as shrimp and scallops are also low in carbohydrates. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carbohydrate

• complex carbohydrate

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