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

Meanwhile, fruit provides high-quality carbohydrates to round out the crucial carb-protein duo. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026

One contained fast-digesting carbohydrate (corn syrup); the other, slow-digesting carbohydrate (corn starch). —David S. Ludwig, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026

Thanks to their higher carbohydrate content, potatoes can give the body essential energy. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2026

Some mice ate high-protein diets, while others ate food high in simple carbohydrates. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

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