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

Bifidobacterium boosts the immune system, balances inflammation, regulates metabolism and helps to digest certain carbohydrates and dietary fibers. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025

Fiber helps the body absorb carbohydrates more slowly, preventing spikes. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025

On the other hand, when your body digests carbohydrates and fat, water is one of the byproducts of this metabolic reaction. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Sep. 2025

Compared to carbohydrates and fats, protein requires more energy to digest, absorb, and metabolize, said Allison Childress, PhD, RDN, LD, CSSD, a sports dietitian and associate professor in the department of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University. —Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 24 Sep. 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