carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid kə-ˈrä-tə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce carotenoid (audio)
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
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Japanese Sweet Potato May Have More Antioxidants Like other types of sweet potatoes, the Japanese sweet potato is packed with antioxidants, such as polyphenols and carotenoids. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025 For example, a pink or reddish color in salmon comes from the antioxidant astaxanthin, which is a carotenoid that wild fish get from eating shellfish like krill or shrimp. Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for carotenoid

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carotenoid was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Carotenoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carotenoid. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun
ca·​rot·​en·​oid
variants also carotinoid
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on carotenoid

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