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.
Specifically, the amount of vitamin C in mangoes helps strengthen the body's defenses against illness and infection, while the antioxidant carotenoid beta carotene can help boost overall immunity.3 3. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025 Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a carotenoid responsible for most red pigment in tomatoes and other red and orange-hued fruits and vegetables. Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025 Zucchini have lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids key to healthy eyes. Alice Oglethorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025 Beta carotene is a carotenoid that’s naturally found in many foods that are (naturally) orange and yellow. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 30 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carotenoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carotenoid. Accessed 23 Jul. 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!