carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid kə-ˈrä-tə-ˌnȯid 

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

Mandarins contribute higher levels of specific carotenoids that provide different types of antioxidant protection. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026

But, the second, is that marigolds will make your carrots sweeter and more delicious thanks to increasing the carotenoid content and sugars within the carrots. —Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026

Carrot Juice Carrot juice is high in powerful antioxidants called carotenoids, such as beta carotene and alpha carotene. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2026

Lycopene is a carotenoid (plant pigment) that also promotes antioxidant activity. —Laura Schober, Health, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carotenoid

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid

Medical Definition

carotenoid

noun

ca·​rot·​en·​oid

variants also carotinoid

kə-ˈrät-ᵊn-ˌȯid 

: 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