carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid kə-ˈrä-tə-ˌnȯid 

variants or less commonly carotinoid

: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (such as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units

carotenoid adjective

Examples of carotenoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Farmed salmon is only its specific shade of pink because carotenoids—naturally occurring molecules in the diets of wild salmon that feed on krill and shrimp—are added into their feed. —Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

Butternut squash is a concentrated source of antioxidants, including carotenoids and vitamin C, which may help protect against certain types of cancer. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 Apr. 2025

The carotenoids in spinach are anti-inflammatory and help support cell function and good vision. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The carotenoids in pistachios reduce oxidative stress, and the fiber and fats in pistachios benefit nutrient absorption and, possibly, gut health. —Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carotenoid

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid

Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid

variants also carotinoid

kə-ˈrät-ᵊn-ˌȯid 

: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units

carotenoid adjective