disaccharide

noun

di·​sac·​cha·​ride (ˌ)dī-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd How to pronounce disaccharide (audio)
: any of a class of sugars (such as sucrose) that yields on hydrolysis two monosaccharide molecules

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disaccharide was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Disaccharide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disaccharide. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

disaccharide

noun
di·​sac·​cha·​ride (ˈ)dī-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd How to pronounce disaccharide (audio)
: any of a class of sugars (as sucrose) that on hydrolysis yields two monosaccharide molecules

called also biose, double sugar

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