carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (such as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods

Examples of carbohydrate in a Sentence

a food that is low in protein but high in carbohydrate

Recent Examples on the Web

Participants in that group got 14% of their calories from protein, up to 29% of their calories from fat, and 53% from carbohydrates. — Korin Miller, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Of the three macronutrients, carbohydrates have the greatest impact on blood sugar levels because they are broken down into glucose, causing blood sugar to rise. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 17 Sep. 2026

Saccharide is a carbohydrate made of sugars, and the Aries season falls between late March and early April. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Several of the staples of break fast meals — bagels, cream cheese and lox — are carbohydrate-heavy and can send blood sugar soaring if eaten too quickly. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carbohydrate

• complex carbohydrate

Rhymes for carbohydrate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate ˌkär-bō-ˈhī-ˌdrāt 

-drət

: any of various compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, or celluloses) most of which are formed by plants and are a major animal food

Medical Definition

carbohydrate

noun

car·​bo·​hy·​drate -ˌdrāt, -drət 

: any of various neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses) most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute a major class of animal foods