flavonoid
noun
fla·vo·noid
ˈflā-və-ˌnȯid 
: any of a large group of typically biologically active water-soluble plant compounds (such as the anthocyanins and flavones) that include pigments ranging in color from yellow to red to blue and occur especially in fruits, vegetables, and herbs (such as grapes, citrus fruits, peppers, and dill)
Flavonoids are effective scavengers of free radicals in the test tube (in vitro). However, even with very high flavonoid intakes, plasma and intracellular flavonoid concentrations in humans are likely to be 100 to 1000 times lower than concentrations of other antioxidants …—
Jane Higdon
Jane HigdonThe rich palette of dyes in butterflies' wings are all derived from chemicals called flavonoids, which the insects cannot make themselves and must sequester from their food plants.—Nicholas Wade
see bioflavonoid
Nicholas WadeExamples of flavonoid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Green tea’s high volume of catechins (aka flavonoids, a class of polyphenols found in plants) are thought to fight inflammation.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 June 2024
Onion Quercetin, a flavonoid in onions, helps inhibit inflammation-causing agents in arthritis.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 June 2024
This extract offers terpenes, flavonoids, and minor cannabinoids, but is free of THC.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Full-spectrum oils contain all the beneficial compounds found in hemp plants, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flavonoid 
Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 18 June 2024
Onion Quercetin, a flavonoid in onions, helps inhibit inflammation-causing agents in arthritis.
—Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 June 2024
This extract offers terpenes, flavonoids, and minor cannabinoids, but is free of THC.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Full-spectrum oils contain all the beneficial compounds found in hemp plants, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flavonoid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flavonoid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flavonoid
Cite this Entry
“Flavonoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flavonoid. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
flavonoid
1 of 2 adjective
fla·vo·noid
ˈflāv-ə-ˌnȯid
ˈflav-
ˈflav-
: of, relating to, or being a flavonoid
flavonoid
2 of 2 noun
: any of a large group of typically biologically active, water-soluble, plant compounds (such as the flavones) that include pigments ranging in color from yellow to red to blue and occur especially in fruits, vegetables, and herbs (such as grapes, citrus fruits, peppers, and dill)
Tea contains substances called catechins (tea flavonoids) that may protect against heart disease and even cancer.—UC Berkeley Wellness Newsletter
UC Berkeley Wellness NewsletterFlavonoids are effective scavengers of free radicals in the test tube (in vitro). However, even with very high flavonoid intakes, plasma and intracellular flavonoid concentrations in humans are likely to be 100 to 1000 times lower than concentrations of other antioxidants …—Jane Higdon, An Evidence-Based Approach to Dietary Phytochemicals
Jane Higdon, An Evidence-Based Approach to Dietary PhytochemicalsNote: Flavonoids are polyphenolic 15-carbon compounds with a basic structure consisting of two benzene rings joined by a chain of 3 carbons.
see bioflavonoidLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share