carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (such as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods

Examples of carbohydrate in a Sentence

a food that is low in protein but high in carbohydrate

Recent Examples on the Web

High-carb foods, like fruit, have a higher GI because carbohydrates have the greatest impact on blood sugar.1 Glycemic Load The GL accounts for both the GI and the ingested serving size of a food. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 July 2025

However, when the carbohydrates are all burned up, the body will start to rely on fat stores, including the fatty myelin in the brain. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025

Pure’s single-ingredient formula is highly bioavailable, meaning your body can absorb it, and can support the metabolism and breakdown of carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats in the body. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 30 June 2025

Gels offer an easy, packable way to get those carbohydrates without trying to stuff a sesame bagel into your shorts pockets. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carbohydrate

• complex carbohydrate

Rhymes for carbohydrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, or celluloses) most of which are formed by plants and are a major animal food

Medical Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate -ˌdrāt, -drət 

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods