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

Include complex carbohydrates like oatmeal, lean proteins like egg whites, and healthy fats like mashed avocado. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026

Mancuso's selections emphasize endurance, with meals centered on lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and vegetables to support sustained energy. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026

They are naturally obtained by many fruits and vegetables, as well as foods containing complex carbohydrates. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026

Improve Gut Health Oats are a source of insoluble and soluble fiber, like beta-glucan, a component of nutrient-rich complex carbohydrates. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for complex carbohydrate

• acetoacetate
• macroinvertebrate
• oxaloacetate
• phosphoenolpyruvate
• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate

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