carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid kə-ˈrä-tə-ˌnȯid How to pronounce carotenoid (audio)
variants or less commonly carotinoid
: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (such as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units
carotenoid adjective

Examples of carotenoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The enzyme that converts the carotenoids from the birds’ diet into the red that is seen on feathers was likely not present. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025 Specifically, astaxanthin – a red carotenoid pigment that naturally occurs in marine life like algae – may be effective in treating psychiatric disorders, according to Frontiers in Pharmacology. Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024 Carrots are a great source of carotenoids and vitamin A, which may slow the development of some eye conditions. Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024 The authors believed that the unknown genetic mutation present in this bird disrupted the metabolic pathway that helps the body synthesize red carotenoids. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for carotenoid 

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carotenoid was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near carotenoid

Cite this Entry

“Carotenoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carotenoid. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun
ca·​rot·​en·​oid
variants also carotinoid
: any of various usually yellow to red pigments (as carotenes) found widely in plants and animals and characterized chemically by a long aliphatic polyene chain composed of eight isoprene units
carotenoid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on carotenoid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!