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vitamin B12
noun
1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P that occurs especially in liver, is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth, and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry
Examples of vitamin B12 in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Low vitamin B12 levels can contribute to elevated homocysteine, an amino acid.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
For example, meat contains not only protein, but also iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 22 Nov. 2024
Aim for foods high in potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
—Sarah Jividen, Health, 26 Oct. 2024
These can include thiamine, vitamin B12, iron, and folate.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024
Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to vitamin B12 inactivation and deficiency, according to a 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024
Packed with vitamin B12 and hyaluronic acid, the serum gives you brighter, more even skin with every use.
—Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Ritual Multivitamin Women 50+ $43 $30 AMAZON Just two capsules a day provide the benefits of vitamin D3 to support the immune system, calcium to maintain bone health, magnesium and D3 to aid muscle function, and omega-3 DHA and vitamin B12 to support brain health.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near vitamin B12
Cite this Entry
“Vitamin B12.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin%20B12. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
vitamin B12
noun-ˈbē-ˈtwelv
: a member of the vitamin B complex that contains cobalt, occurs especially in liver, and is needed for normal blood formation, nerve function, and growth
also
: any of several other compounds with similar activity
Medical Definition
vitamin B12
noun1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P found in animal products (as meat and eggs) that is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry
More from Merriam-Webster on vitamin B12
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vitamin B12
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