vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvī-tə-mən How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
British usually
ˈvi- How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body

Examples of vitamin in a Sentence

This cereal contains essential vitamins and minerals. Did you remember to take your vitamin?
Recent Examples on the Web Pumpkin spice contains small amounts of some vitamins and minerals. Johna Burdeos, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 These choices are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024 From vitamins to fiber and pharmaceuticals, gummies are having a moment. Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024 Loaded with vitamins and high in fiber, these decadent cucurbits will keep whole in storage for months. Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vitamin 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vitamin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine

First Known Use

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vitamin was circa 1912

Dictionary Entries Near vitamin

Cite this Entry

“Vitamin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

vitamin

noun
vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
: any of various substances that are necessary in very small amounts to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, that are important to the control of growth and development by activating and assisting in the function of enzymes, and that are present naturally in many foods or in some cases are produced within the body

Medical Definition

vitamin

noun
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or are sometimes produced within the body

More from Merriam-Webster on vitamin

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