carbohydrate

[kahr-boh-hahy-dreyt, -buh-]

noun

1. any of a class of organic compounds that are polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones, or change to such substances on simple chemical transformations, as hydrolysis, oxidation, or reduction, and that form the supporting tissues of plants and are important food for animals and people.

carbohydrate

/ ˌkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪt /

noun

1. Informal term: carb. any of a large group of organic compounds, including sugars, such as sucrose, and polysaccharides, such as cellulose, glycogen, and starch, that contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with the general formula C m (H 2 O) n: an important source of food and energy for animals

carbohydrate

1. Any of a large class of organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with twice as many hydrogen atoms as carbon or oxygen atoms. Carbohydrates are produced in green plants by photosynthesis and serve as a major energy source in animal diets. Sugars, starches, and cellulose are all carbohydrates.

Other Word Forms

• noncarbohydrate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbohydrate¹

First recorded in 1865–70; carbo- + hydrate

Example Sentences

It is like humans eating a diet without carbohydrates, amino acids, or other vital nutrients.

From BBC

"If glucose levels are under control, I do allow and even encourage my patients to enjoy mangoes in limited quantities - about half portion which gives 15g carbohydrates - once or twice a day."

From BBC

Sandwiches and toast are also off the menu for some British consumers who are cutting back on carbohydrates in favour of high-protein diets.

From BBC

The first involves picking one night to really go all in - your step count will be absolutely astronomical, but with the correct intake of carbohydrates and tinned cocktails that 18-hour day will pay off.

From BBC

The carbohydrate intake initially seemed to provide a boost, but the issue continued to bother her and led to the medical attention.

From BBC

Related Words

• cellulose 
• glucose 
• lactose 
• starch 
• sugar 

When To Use

What is a carbohydrate?

A carbohydrate is an organic compound that is made of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. Most carbohydrates have twice as much hydrogen as oxygen and carbon.In chemistry, a compound is a pure substance of two or more elements stuck together. An organic compound is a compound that contains hydrogen and carbon (hydrocarbons).Carbohydrates are extremely important to life and neither plants nor animals would be able to survive without them. Fortunately, carbohydrates are abundant in nature.Both the cell walls of plants and the tissues of animals are made partly out of carbohydrates. Additionally, both plants and animals use carbohydrates to produce and store energy. Without carbohydrates, neither plant nor animal cells could function and both would quickly die.Carbohydrates come from green plants as a product of the process known as photosynthesis in which plants combine carbon dioxide and water. Typically, animals get their carbohydrates by eating the plants, eating the fruits and vegetables of the plant, or eating other animals.It is very common in nutritional discussions to shorten carbohydrates to carbs.