monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmä-nə-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar that is not decomposable into simpler sugars by hydrolysis, is classed as either an aldose or ketose, and contains one or more hydroxyl groups per molecule

called also simple sugar

Examples of monosaccharide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Simple carbohydrates include monosaccharides and disaccharides, while complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides like fiber and starch. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of long chains of simple sugar molecules, or monosaccharides. —Paul McClure 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025

Honey contains about 75% monosaccharides and 15% disaccharides.1 What Is Sugar Alcohol? —Merve Ceylan, Health, 3 Apr. 2025

For instance, apples are not recommended for people on a low-FODMAP diet (eating plan low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are types of short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine does not readily absorb). —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monosaccharide

• acetaldehyde
• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide

Kids Definition

monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmän-ə-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar that cannot be split into simpler sugars

called also simple sugar

Medical Definition

monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmän-ə-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar not decomposable to simpler sugars by hydrolysis

called also simple sugar