: a chemical compound (such as beta-carotene) occurring naturally in plants
Examples of phytochemical in a Sentence
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Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024
What’s more, peeling the vegetable with bare hands can leave palms and fingernails a ghoulish brown for days, thanks to a phytochemical called cynarin that stains the skin.
—Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 17 Apr. 2024
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
These can include fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that could prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, among other serious diseases.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
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Adjective
Once the plant was more mature at around 3 years old, the team conducted a phytochemical analysis on its resin, leaves and branches to test for aromatic compounds, such as those found in myrrh.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024
What’s more, peeling the vegetable with bare hands can leave palms and fingernails a ghoulish brown for days, thanks to a phytochemical called cynarin that stains the skin.
—Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
However, its large number of antioxidants, including phytochemicals, do fight back against damage to cells from natural processes, as well as lifestyle choices like a poor diet and smoking.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2025
These can include fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that could prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, among other serious diseases.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phytochemical
Cite this Entry
“Phytochemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytochemical. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phytochemical
1 of 2 adjective
phy·to·chem·i·cal
-ˈkem-i-kəl 
: of, relating to, or being phytochemistry
phytochemical
2 of 2 noun
: a chemical compound (as a carotenoid or phytosterol) occurring naturally in plants
especially
: phytonutrient
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