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

But this plan is half protein and half carbohydrates with vegetables often optional. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

During a tick bite, alpha-gal, a carbohydrate molecule found in the tissues and products of most non-primate mammals, may be introduced into the human body through the tick’s saliva. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

The toast provides carbohydrates for fuel, while the peanut butter offers a small amount of protein to support your muscles. — Trista Chan, HEALTH, 12 Oct. 2026

Naturally occurring sugars can still affect blood glucose levels, making the total carbohydrate content important for people with diabetes to consider. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 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