carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid kə-ˈrä-tə-ˌnȯid 

variants or less commonly carotinoid

: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (such as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units

carotenoid adjective

Examples of carotenoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its soft, red pulp is extremely high in carotenoids (especially lycopene and beta-carotene) and lutein and zeaxanthin. —New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025

Chlorophyll gives leaves a green color, so when these pigments are not visible, carotenoids, which produce yellow orange and brown colors, show through, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry. —Elissa Robinson, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025

These environmental factors cause trees to produce anthocyanins, responsible for those vibrant reds and purples, while also slowing chlorophyll production, resulting in bright carotenoid and yellow pigments. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025

Levels of Inflammatory Markers May Decrease Prickly pears contain vitamins, antioxidants, and plant pigments like carotenoids and betalains that may help reduce inflammation. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carotenoid

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid

Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid

variants also carotinoid

kə-ˈrät-ᵊn-ˌȯid 

: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units

carotenoid adjective