antioxidant

[ an-tee-ok-si-duhnt, an-tahy- ]

noun
  1. Chemistry. any substance that inhibits oxidation, as a substance that inhibits oxidative deterioration of gasoline, rubbers, plastics, soaps, etc.

  2. Biochemistry. an enzyme or other organic substance, as vitamin E or beta carotene, that is capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation in animal tissues.

adjective
  1. Chemistry. of or relating to an antioxidant.

Origin of antioxidant

1
First recorded in 1925–30; anti- + oxidant (oxid(ize) + -ant)

Words Nearby antioxidant

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How to use antioxidant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antioxidant

antioxidant

/ (ˌæntɪˈɒksɪdənt) /


noun
  1. any substance that retards deterioration by oxidation, esp of fats, oils, foods, petroleum products, or rubber

  2. biology a substance, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene, that counteracts the damaging effects of oxidation in a living organism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for antioxidant

antioxidant

[ ăn′tē-ŏksĭ-dənt, ăn′tī- ]


  1. A chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin E, are antioxidants and may protect body cells from damage caused by the oxidative effects of free radicals.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.