Word
carbohydrate
Phoneticscar·bo·hy·drate
US/ˌkɑɹboʊˈhaɪˌdɹeɪt/
UK/kˌɑːbəʊhˈaɪdɹeɪt/
Definition
n. a substance in foods like bread, rice, and potatoes that gives your body energy. People often call them 'carbs' for short.
n. any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. Typically contains hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water and used as a primary energy source.
Examples
“Pasta is a food that is high in carbohydrates.”
“Athletes often eat a meal rich in carbohydrates the night before a big race to ensure their muscles have enough fuel.”
“While simple carbohydrates provide a rapid spike in blood glucose, complex varieties found in whole grains offer a more sustained release of energy due to their fiber content.”
Examples
simple
“Pasta is a food that is high in carbohydrates.”
contextual
“Athletes often eat a meal rich in carbohydrates the night before a big race to ensure their muscles have enough fuel.”
complex
“While simple carbohydrates provide a rapid spike in blood glucose, complex varieties found in whole grains offer a more sustained release of energy due to their fiber content.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or dietary units.
Real-World Examples
“Along with carbohydrates and fats, protein is one of the three macronutrients you need to eat in adequate amounts for your body to function.” “They consumed less protein as well as less carbohydrate.” Etymology
From their general formula Cₙ(H₂O)ₙ; they were once thought to be hydrates of carbon.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.