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carbohydrate

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The definition of a carbohydrate is an organic compound that occurs in living tissues or food and that can be broken down into energy by people or animals.

(noun)

Sugar is an example of a carbohydrate.

See carbohydrate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of certain organic compounds, including the sugars, starches, and celluloses, which usually have the general formula C(HO): carbohydrates are subdivided into monosaccharides, disaccharides, etc., and form an important class of foods in animal nutrition, supplying energy to the body

Origin: carbo- + hydrate

See carbohydrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals. These compounds are produced by photosynthetic plants and contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio 1:2:1.

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