alpha-tocopherol

noun

al·​pha-to·​coph·​er·​ol ˈal-fə-tō-ˈkä-fə-ˌrȯl 

-ˌrōl

: the predominant form of vitamin E C₂₉H₅₀O₂ that is essential to human nutrition

… the vitamin E sold as a dietary supplement contains primarily alpha-tocopherol.

—Janet Raloff

Note: Alpha-tocopherol is a potent antioxidant and the most biologically active form of vitamin E. Because alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E most essential to biological functioning, it is often used synonymously with vitamin E.

Vitamin E—also called alpha-tocopherol—is a vitamin in search of a deficiency disease.

—S. Boyd Eaton

Examples of alpha-tocopherol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are many forms of vitamin E, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one known to meet human requirements.6 Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant and has a role in immune function. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2025

High doses of alpha-tocopherol supplements have been known to cause hemorrhage (bleeding).10 5. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 19 Jan. 2025

And some ingredients that are unrecognizable to many people may actually be vitamins, Dr. Nestle said, like sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E). —New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Based on these new findings, food sources of lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein, and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) should have a place on your plate to support your brain health. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 28 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alpha-tocopherol

• beryl
• feral
• karel
• peril
• seral
• sterile
• sterol
• carbaryl
• glyceryl
• imperil
• cholesteryl
• sitosterol

Medical Definition

alpha-tocopherol

noun

al·​pha-to·​coph·​er·​ol ˌal-fə-tō-ˈkäf-ə-ˌrȯl, -ˌrōl 

: the predominant form of vitamin E C₂₉H₅₀O₂ that is essential to human nutrition

… the vitamin E sold as a dietary supplement contains primarily alpha-tocopherol.

—Janet Raloff

Note: Alpha-tocopherol is a potent antioxidant and the most biologically active form of vitamin E. Because alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E most essential to biological functioning, it is often used synonymously with vitamin E.

Vitamin E—also called alpha-tocopherol—is a vitamin in search of a deficiency disease.

—S. Boyd Eaton