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

However, these animals can’t make carotenoids directly. —Simon Griffith, JSTOR Daily, 5 Dec. 2024

Like all carotenoids, these compounds are strong antioxidants. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 4 Oct. 2024

Eating a diet rich in carotenoids is associated with a lower risk of diseases like cancer.17 6. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Nov. 2024

However, some studies suggest that taking very high doses of carotenoid supplements may increase cancer risk. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

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