noun
monosaccharide
mon-oh-SAK-uh-ryde
Monosaccharide (noun) means a simple sugar built from just one ring, for instance glucose or fructose. Example: “Glucose and fructose are both monosaccharides.”
noun
1
biochemistry A simple sugar built from just one ring, for instance glucose or fructose.
"Glucose and fructose are both monosaccharides."
"The body breaks larger carbohydrates down into monosaccharides before absorbing them."
How to use monosaccharide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA monosaccharide is the simplest kind of sugar, a single sugar unit rather than a chain of them.
When to use it
Monosaccharide is a technical biochemistry term used in scientific rather than everyday contexts.
Memory tip
Use mono- for one and think of a monosaccharide as sugar's smallest single building block.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
disaccharide
polysaccharide
Common pairings
monosaccharide units
break down into monosaccharides
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Glucose and fructose are both _____.
Etymology
Monosaccharide combines the prefix mono-, meaning single or one, with saccharide, a word for a sugar unit.
Synonyms
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monosugar
simple sugar
Rhymes for monosaccharide
See all rhymes for monosaccharide →Frequently asked questions
What is a monosaccharide?
It's a simple sugar formed of just one ring; glucose, fructose and deoxyribose are all examples.
Is glucose a monosaccharide?
Yes, glucose is one of the most common examples of a monosaccharide.
What is the difference between a monosaccharide and a disaccharide?
A monosaccharide is a single simple sugar unit, while a disaccharide is formed when two such units are joined together.
What is the meaning of monosaccharide?
"monosaccharide" (noun) means a simple sugar built from just one ring, for instance glucose or fructose.
