Antioxidants are molecules characterized by their ability to participate in redox reactions by donating electrons or hydrogen atoms to unstable partners. In chemistry, this antioxidant function helps stabilize reactive intermediates and interrupt chain reactions that would otherwise propagate oxidation. The word antioxidants is used across disciplines to describe a broad concept rather than a single substance, inviting readers to explore how these molecules fit into different systems. This page keeps the focus on antioxidants and the ideas they embody. To understand antioxidants in context, it helps to consider reactive species such as free radicals that can emerge in various processes. Antioxidants are part of a larger balance in which redox reactions occur, sometimes influenced by environment, conditions, and the presence of other compounds. Rather than presenting any universal claims, this discussion emphasizes the chemistry behind antioxidants and how researchers think about their activities in diverse settings. Measurement and characterization of antioxidant activity employ a range of approaches, each with specific assumptions and limitations. The term antioxidants can be explored through concepts like capacity, kinetics, and selectivity, rather than a single value. By focusing on antioxidants in a nuanced way, readers can appreciate why scientists describe this area with multiple models and ongoing inquiry. For those curious to learn more, this page invites continued exploration of antioxidants—including how terminology evolves and how new findings are interpreted. Readers can examine definitions, watch for context-dependent statements, and seek reliable sources to deepen understanding of the antioxidant concept. By centering on antioxidants, the discussion remains open to future insights across fields.