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

Grains: About one-quarter of the lunchbox should include carbohydrates—specifically whole grains like 100% whole wheat bread or brown rice. —Toby Amidor, Ms, Rd, Parents, 4 Sep. 2024

Tomato juice contains FODMAPs, specific carbohydrates that are not fully broken down and absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. —Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 3 Sep. 2024

Florence did not, as a rule, serve carbohydrates or dessert, and, after Charles had a heart attack in his forties, cholesterol was forbidden, including cream for coffee. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

Food exchanges: 1 carbohydrate, 1 vegetable, ½ protein, 1 fat. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carbohydrate

• complex carbohydrate

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