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.
May Protect Against Some Types of Cancer Papaya is rich in lycopene, a pigment called a carotenoid (related to beta-carotene). — Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Aug. 2026 Apricots are seasonal in the spring and summer and contain phenolic and carotenoid compounds that act as antioxidants. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026 Fruit juice also holds on to phytochemicals from the original fruit, including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins (especially in grape and cherry juice) and carotenoids (especially in orange juice). — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026 Juice also retains many of the phytochemicals found in whole fruit, including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins (especially in grape and cherry juice) and carotenoids (especially in orange juice). — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 21, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026 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

Rhymes for carotenoid

See All Rhymes for carotenoid

Browse Nearby Words

carotene
carotenoid
carotenol
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carotenoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carotenoid. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun
ca·​rot·​en·​oid
variants also carotinoid
kə-ˈrät-ᵊn-ˌȯid How to pronounce carotenoid (audio)
: 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carotenoid

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