carotenoid

American  

[kuh-rot-n-oid] / kəˈrɒt nˌɔɪd /

Or carotinoid

noun

1. any of a group of red and yellow pigments, chemically similar to carotene, contained in animal fat and some plants.

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adjective

1. similar to carotene.

2. pertaining to carotenoids.

carotenoid British  

/ kəˈrɒtɪˌnɔɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of red or yellow pigments, including carotenes, found in plants and certain animal tissues

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adjective

1. of or resembling carotene or a carotenoid

carotenoid Scientific  

/ kə-rŏt′n-oid′ /

1. Any of a class of yellow to red pigments found especially in plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. Carotenoids generally consist of conjoined units of the hydrocarbon isoprene, with alternating single and double bonds. The carotenoids absorb light energy of certain frequencies and transfer it to chlorophyll for use in photosynthesis. They also act as antioxidants for chlorophyll, protecting it from damage by oxidation in the presence of sunlight. Carotenoids are nutritionally important for many animals, giving flamingoes their color, for example, and also have antioxidant properties. There are many types of carotenoids, including carotenes and xanthophylls.

2. See more at photosynthesis

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Etymology

Origin of carotenoid

First recorded in 1910–15; carotene + -oid

Example Sentences

According to findings published in Cell Reports Medicine, this common carotenoid may also help the immune system fight cancer by enhancing the activity of key immune cells.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Lycopene is a carotenoid found mainly in tomatoes and other red fruits.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

The red color comes from a carotenoid pigment that acts as a sunscreen, protecting the cell’s machinery from UV radiation.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2023

The gene beta-carotene oxygenase 1 is responsible for carotenoid metabolism and most likely explains flesh color variation in salmon.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2023

Effects of light on carotenoid formation in tomato fruits.

From The Tomato by Work, Paul