carb

¹

[kahrb]

noun

1. carbohydrate.

verb (used without object)

1. to eat large quantities of carbohydrates before a major physical exertion in order to store up energy (usually followed byup ).

   Some marathon runners carb up on spaghetti the night before a race.

carb

²

[kahrb]

noun

Informal.

1. a carburetor.

carb-

³

1. variant of carbo- before a vowel.

   carbazole.

carb

/ kɑːb /

noun

1. short for carburettor

2. short for carbohydrate

Word History and Origins

Origin of carb¹

By shortening of carbohydrate

Origin of carb²

First recorded in 1950–55; by shortening

Example Sentences

“Further, CARB, a division of CalEPA, appears to use these policies to engage in discriminatory employment practices in its ‘Racial Equity Framework,’ which aims to advance race-based decision-making within the agency.”

From Los Angeles Times

I pile it over rice cooker rice, which steams quietly in the background like a saint and doesn’t punish me for wanting a warm carb in a too-hot world.

From Salon

Money is also available from CARB, from state air quality districts, from cities and from container fees levied by port operators.

From Los Angeles Times

The EPA said it acknowledges California’s withdrawal of the waiver requests “and as a result is taking no further action on CARB’s prior requests and considers these matters closed.”

From Los Angeles Times

This concern applies to CARB’s newly adopted amendments to accelerate the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, or LCFS, which we opposed.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does carb- mean?

The combining form carbo- is used like a prefix meaning “carbon.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.The form carbo- ultimately comes from Latin carbō, meaning “charcoal.” Yes, charcoal. The dishes carbonara and carbonade are also related to the Latin carbō.The Greek translation of Latin carbō is ánthrax, “charcoal” or “carbuncle,” which is the source of the word anthrax. Find out more at our entry for the word.What are variants of carb-?The form carb- is a variant of carbo-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for carbo-.