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

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

Sweet potatoes contain slightly more fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates than bananas. —Heidi Cope, Health, 15 Jan. 2026

Cholesterol May Be Lower Beans are rich in complex carbohydrates, such as dietary fiber. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025

The sugar-free cookies are sweetened with maltitol (a sugar alcohol), polydextrose (a complex carbohydrate made from glucose), sucralose (a zero-calorie sugar substitute) and Ace-K (a zero-calorie artificial sweetener), per the Oreo website. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

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