-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
This is because simple sugars cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, and foods high in simple sugars are much less filling than complex carbohydrates due to lower fiber and protein content.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Oct. 2024
What the Diet Encourages The Nordic diet focuses on whole foods rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
The researchers think the bacterium breaks down more complex carbohydrates in the supplement into simpler ones and delivers these to other beneficial bacteria and to intestinal cells.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 2 Oct. 2024
Starchy options provide complex carbohydrates that your body breaks down into glucose (sugar) molecules, offering a more immediate energy source.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complex carbohydrate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complex carbohydrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1938, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of complex carbohydrate was
in 1938
Dictionary Entries Near complex carbohydrate
Cite this Entry
“Complex carbohydrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complex%20carbohydrate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share