Definition

A type of sugar made up of two smaller sugar molecules linked together.

Example

Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk.

Conversation

Hey, do you remember learning about different types of sugars in class?

Yeah, I think we covered monosaccharides and disaccharides too.

Right! I found it interesting how disaccharides are made up of two monosaccharides.

Exactly, like how sucrose is a disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Disaccharide → It is formed from "di-" (meaning two) and "saccharum" (meaning sugar). The word describes a carbohydrate composed of two sugar molecules linked together.

Memory Tip

Think of 'two' ('di-') sugars ('saccharum') combined — that's what a disaccharide is.

Visually Confused Words