antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌan-tē-ˈäk-sə-dənt 

ˌan-ˌtī-

: a substance (such as beta-carotene or vitamin C) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals

antioxidant adjective

Examples of antioxidant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Providing fiber for digestion, there’s fresh broccoli along with antioxidants to help reduce the risk of certain cancers. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025

But parents who’ve raised their kids on berries — for the ease of chewing for toddlers, for the antioxidants — have also been pushed along by the very visible hand of the produce industry. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 3 Oct. 2025

Anywhere between 7-10 minutes will work best, avoiding boiling temperatures, as too much heat is bad for the antioxidants. —Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025

For example, a pink or reddish color in salmon comes from the antioxidant astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid that wild fish get from eating shellfish like krill or shrimp. —Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antioxidant

• oxidant

Kids Definition

antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌant-ē-ˈäk-səd-ənt 

ˌan-ˌtī-

: a substance that opposes oxidation or prevents or makes difficult reactions made easier by oxygen

Medical Definition

antioxidant

noun

an·​ti·​ox·​i·​dant ˌant-ē-ˈäk-səd-ənt, ˌan-ˌtī- 

: any of various substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides and that include many held to protect the living body from the deleterious effects of free radicals

antioxidant adjective