anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Examples of anthocyanin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fruit's vibrant red color comes from natural plant compounds called anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 July 2026

Peaches contain other beneficial nutrients besides fiber, including minerals, organic acids, and the antioxidants flavonoids and anthocyanins. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026

Blueberries are especially rich in anthocyanins, the pigments that give the fruit its color and help the plant withstand UV radiation and microbial stress. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026

Fruit juice also holds on to phytochemicals from the original fruit, including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins (especially in grape and cherry juice) and carotenoids (especially in orange juice). — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Anthocyanin, from Anthocyan, Anthokyan, an earlier name (from Greek antho- antho- + kyan-, in kyánōs "blue color") + -in -in entry 1 — more at cyan-

Note: Anthokyan was coined by the German pharmacist Ludwig Clamor Marquart (1804-81), in Die Farben der Blüthen (Bonn, 1835), p. 55: Anthokyan (von ἄνθος Blume, und κυάνωσις blaue Farbe) ist der färbende Stoff in der blauen, violetten und rothen und vermittelt ebenfalls die Farbe aller braunen und vieler pomeranzfarbigen Blumen ("Anthokyan [from ánthos flower, and kyánōsis blue color] is the coloring matter in blue, violet and red flowers, and imparts in any case color to all brown and many orange flowers"). A German form with the suffix -in and an English form with the suffix -ine were in use by the 1850's.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

: any of various soluble pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants

Medical Definition

anthocyanin

noun

an·​tho·​cy·​a·​nin ˌan(t)-thə-ˈsī-ə-nən 

variants also anthocyan

-ˈsī-ən, -ˌan 

: any of various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red coloring in flowers and plants