carbohydrate

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noun car·bo·hy·drate \-ˌdrāt, -drət\

Definition of carbohydrate

: 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

See carbohydrate defined for English-language learners

See carbohydrate defined for kids

Examples of carbohydrate in a Sentence

a food that is low in protein but high in carbohydrate

Recent Examples of carbohydrate from the Web

Lewis, who is now 58, resolved both issues by incorporating complex carbohydrates into every meal and getting his filling replaced.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "‘Scientific wellness’ study—and a famed biologist’s spinoff company—divide researchers," 19 July 2017
This means that easily degradable components in fresh poo (carbohydrates, proteins and sugars) are broken down, leaving behind more stable ones.

— naomi deering, Smithsonian, "How Fake, Lab-Made Poop Can Improve Sanitation," 12 July 2017
Nutritional analysis per 1-tablespoon serving: 121 calories, 14 grams fat, 9 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, no cholesterol, 15 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 98 percent of calories from fat.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "Summer cherries, apricots and peaches ... oh, my!," 4 July 2017
Per serving: 329 calories, 28 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 39 mg cholesterol, 8 g carbohydrates, 1 g sugar, 12 g protein, 942 mg sodium, 2 g fiber Yield: 12 servings.

— james p. dewan, charlotteobserver, "Anything can be coleslaw if you know what you’re doing," 3 July 2017
Per 1-cup serving: 2 calories (none from fat), no fat, no cholesterol, trace carbohydrates, trace protein, 13 milligrams sodium, no dietary fiber.

— karen elizabeth watts, kansascity, "Cold-brew coffee is a hot hot hot trend, and you can make it yourself," 3 July 2017
Societies living along the shores of the Salish Sea at that time made their living by fishing, hunting deer and other game, and foraging or cultivating carbohydrate-rich root plants such as wapato.

— National Geographic, "Buried in Beads 4,000 Years Ago, This Chiefly Family Lives Again," 1 July 2017
Blueberry, for example has 160 calories and 19 grams of carbohydrates.

— Health.com, "Is French Yogurt the New Greek?," 28 June 2017
FODMAPs are specific types of carbohydrates (sugars) that pull water into the intestinal tract.

— don rauf, chicagotribune.com, "High-intensity exercise may be bad for the bowels," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carbohydrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of carbohydrate

1851

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

CARBOHYDRATE Defined for English Language Learners

carbohydrate

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noun

Definition of carbohydrate for English Language Learners

: any one of various substances found in certain foods (such as bread, rice, and potatoes) that provide your body with heat and energy and are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

CARBOHYDRATE Defined for Kids

carbohydrate

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noun car·bo·hy·drate \ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt\

Definition of carbohydrate for Students

: a substance (as a starch or sugar) that is rich in energy and is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Medical Dictionary

carbohydrate

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noun car·bo·hy·drate \-ˌdrāt, -drət\

Medical Definition of carbohydrate

: 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