complex carbohydrate

noun

: a polysaccharide (such as starch or cellulose) consisting of usually hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide units
also : a food (such as rice or pasta) composed primarily of such polysaccharides

Examples of complex carbohydrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oats have plenty of complex carbohydrates and tryptophan, which helps make and support serotonin and energy regulation. Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 18 July 2025 Simple carbohydrates include monosaccharides and disaccharides, while complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides like fiber and starch. Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025 The surface of nearly all human cells is covered in glycans, a dense network of hair-like projections of complex carbohydrate molecules that are crucial to cell-cell communication and immune responses. Paul McClure 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025 Simple carbohydrates include sugars found in fruits, some vegetables, dairy products, and honey, while complex carbohydrates come from starch and fiber in plants (including grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes). Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for complex carbohydrate

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of complex carbohydrate was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Complex carbohydrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complex%20carbohydrate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

complex carbohydrate

noun
: a polysaccharide (as starch or cellulose) consisting of usually hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide units
also : a food (as rice or pasta) composed primarily of such polysaccharides
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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