: a chemical compound (such as beta-carotene) occurring naturally in plants
Examples of phytochemical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024
What’s more, peeling the vegetable with bare hands can leave palms and fingernails a ghoulish brown for days, thanks to a phytochemical called cynarin that stains the skin.
—Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 17 Apr. 2024
Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024
Blackberries Blackberries are packed with nutrients and phytochemicals that can improve and protect health in several ways.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phytochemical 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Once the plant was more mature at around 3 years old, the team conducted a phytochemical analysis on its resin, leaves and branches to test for aromatic compounds, such as those found in myrrh.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024
What’s more, peeling the vegetable with bare hands can leave palms and fingernails a ghoulish brown for days, thanks to a phytochemical called cynarin that stains the skin.
—Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Anthocyanins are the phytochemicals that give purple and blue fruits and vegetables their pigment.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024
Blackberries Blackberries are packed with nutrients and phytochemicals that can improve and protect health in several ways.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for phytochemical
Dictionary Entries Near phytochemical
Cite this Entry
“Phytochemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phytochemical. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phytochemical
1 of 2 adjective
phy·to·chem·i·cal
-ˈkem-i-kəl 
: of, relating to, or being phytochemistry
phytochemical
2 of 2 noun
: a chemical compound (as a carotenoid or phytosterol) occurring naturally in plants
especially
: phytonutrient
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share