prebiotic

noun

: a substance and especially a carbohydrate (such as inulin) that is nearly or wholly indigestible and that when consumed (as in food) promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract

Prebiotics are naturally found in certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including artichoke, asparagus, bananas, chicory, garlic, and onions.

—Andrew Weil

compare probiotic

Examples of prebiotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sourdough, which has its own microbiome, is another great source of prebiotics. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026

Plus, this functional dessert contains prebiotics (a type of fiber that feeds the beneficial microbes in the gut), as well as iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026

There is also the Body Lotion, a lightweight formula with ceramides to boost the skin barrier, peptides to firm and increase elasticity, and prebiotics to balance the microbiome. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Small daily habits that combine prebiotics and probiotics may help support gut health naturally without depending entirely on supplements. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prebiotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic

Medical Definition

prebiotic

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​bi·​ot·​ic

-bī-ˈät-ik

1

: of, relating to, or being chemical or environmental precursors of the origin of life

prebiotic molecules

also : existing or occurring before the origin of life

prebiotic conditions

2

: of, relating to, or being a prebiotic

Prebiotic agents included the oligosaccharides inulin, galactose, fructose, lactulose, and combinations of these nutrients.

—Josef Neu et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

prebiotically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

prebiotic

2 of 2 noun

: a substance and especially a carbohydrate (such as inulin) that is nearly or wholly indigestible and that when consumed (as in food) promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract compare probiotic