polysaccharide
noun
poly·sac·cha·ride
ˌpä-lē-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd 
: a carbohydrate that can be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more molecules of monosaccharides
especially
: one (such as cellulose, starch, or glycogen) containing many monosaccharide units and marked by complexity
Examples of polysaccharide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The mushroom also contains immune-modulating polysaccharides that may reduce the over-reactiveness of the immune response and down-regulate histamine levels and inflammation.
—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2026
Mogo Farm notes that reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and contains bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, triterpenes and antioxidants that help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.
—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
The key carbohydrates in this tropical fruit include starch, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), and non-starch polysaccharides (such as pectin and cellulose), which comprise part of dietary fiber.
—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
The soluble fiber in oats, particularly the polysaccharide beta-glucan, forms a viscous gel in the digestive tract.
—
Lauren Manaker Ms,
Health,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polysaccharide
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Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2026
Mogo Farm notes that reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and contains bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, triterpenes and antioxidants that help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.
—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
The key carbohydrates in this tropical fruit include starch, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), and non-starch polysaccharides (such as pectin and cellulose), which comprise part of dietary fiber.
—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
The soluble fiber in oats, particularly the polysaccharide beta-glucan, forms a viscous gel in the digestive tract.
—
Lauren Manaker Ms,
Health,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polysaccharide
Cite this Entry
“Polysaccharide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polysaccharide. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polysaccharide
noun
poly·sac·cha·ride
ˈpäl-i-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd
: a carbohydrate that can be broken down into two or more small sugar molecules
Medical Definition
polysaccharide
noun
poly·sac·cha·ride
-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd
: a carbohydrate that can be decomposed by hydrolysis into two or more molecules of monosaccharides
especially
: one (as cellulose, starch, or glycogen) containing many monosaccharide units and marked by complexity
called also glycan
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