nutrition

nu·tri·tion

noun \nu̇-ˈtri-shən, nyu̇-\

Definition of NUTRITION

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

2

: nourishment 1

— nu·tri·tion·al \-ˈtrish-nəl, -ˈtri-shə-n^əl\ adjective

— nu·tri·tion·al·ly adverb

Examples of NUTRITION

1. The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class.
2. good nutrition and proper exercise

Origin of NUTRITION

Middle English nutricioun, from Late Latin nutrition-, nutritio, from Latin nutrire

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

Rhymes with NUTRITION

addition, admission, ambition, attrition, audition, beautician, clinician, cognition, coition, commission, condition, contrition, demission, dentition, dismission, Domitian, edition, emission, ethician, fruition, ignition, Kittitian, lenition, logician, magician, Mauritian, monition, mortician, munition, musician, omission, optician, partition, patrician, perdition, permission, petition, Phoenician, physician, Politian, position, punition, remission, rendition, sedition, submission, suspicion, tactician, technician, tradition, transition, transmission, tuition, volition

nu·tri·tion

noun \n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of NUTRITION

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

2

: food 1, nourishment

—nu·tri·tion·al \-ˈtrish-nəl, -ən-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—nu·tri·tion·al·ly \-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb

nutrition

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Processes of taking in and utilizing food substances. Food generates energy and supplies materials used in body tissues and processes. Calories are supplied by carbohydrates (sugars and starches), fats, and proteins. Other nutrients include minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibre. Minerals are used in many ways—iron for hemoglobin; calcium for bones, teeth, and cellular processes; sodium and potassium to regulate homeostasis, iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Trace minerals have functions that are less well-understood. Fibre is not broken down chemically in the body but aids digestion, lowers blood cholesterol, and may help prevent some cancers and hypertension. Different amounts of these nutrients exist in different foods; a varied diet ensures an adequate supply. Nutritional supplements, required by some people, do not compensate for an unhealthy diet. Sufficient water is always essential. Inadequate nutrient intake or absorption leads to malnutrition and disease.