Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Carbohydrate \Car`bo*hy"drate\, n. [Carbon + hydrate.] (Physiol.
   Chem.)
   One of a group of compounds including the sugars, starches,
   and gums, which contain six (or some multiple of six) carbon
   atoms, united with a variable number of hydrogen and oxygen
   atoms, but with the two latter always in proportion as to
   form water; as dextrose, {C6H12O6}.

Source : WordNet®

carbohydrate
     n : an essential structural component of living cells and source
         of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small
         molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are
         classified according to the number of monosaccharide
         groups they contain [syn: {saccharide}, {sugar}]