monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmä-nə-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar that is not decomposable into simpler sugars by hydrolysis, is classed as either an aldose or ketose, and contains one or more hydroxyl groups per molecule

called also simple sugar

Examples of monosaccharide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The dietary approach is known as low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, or the Low-FODMAP Diet for short. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Nov. 2025

FODMAPs are fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. —Cynthia Sass, Health, 13 Nov. 2025

The researchers discovered that the gastrointestinal symptoms are largely caused by fermentable carbohydrates (another wheat component), which are also known as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs). —Korin Miller, SELF, 11 Nov. 2025

Fructose May Cause Digestive Issues for Some People Because pears contain a naturally higher amount of fructose, they’re considered a high FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) food. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monosaccharide

• acetaldehyde
• acetanilide
• arabinoside
• cycloheximide
• cyclophosphamide
• diethylamide
• dinucleotide
• ferricyanide
• ferrocyanide
• glutaraldehyde
• glyceraldehyde
• hydroperoxide

Kids Definition

monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmän-ə-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar that cannot be split into simpler sugars

called also simple sugar

Medical Definition

monosaccharide

noun

mono·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌmän-ə-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd 

: a sugar not decomposable to simpler sugars by hydrolysis

called also simple sugar