carbohydrate
/kɑːbəˈhʌɪdreɪt
/noun
1Any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the animal body: water-soluble carbohydrates [mass noun]: dehydrated foods high in carbohydrate [as modifier]: carbohydrate metabolism...
- Use food labels to keep track of the grams of fat, protein and carbohydrates in each food.
- Food is a mix of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and other things.
- Riboflavin is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
1.1Food consisting of or containing a lot of carbohydrates: before the event I will starve myself of carbohydrates and eat a lot of protein [mass noun]: make sure you feed them lots of carbohydrate...
- When I ate fewer carbohydrates, my appetite decreased.
- I know that when I eat fewer carbohydrates I feel healthier and have more energy.
- Reduce your carbohydrates to 40 - 70 grams a day for three consecutive days to burn the stored glycogen out of your muscles.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from carbo- + hydrate.