nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion nu̇-ˈtri-shən  nyu̇- 

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

foods that are necessary for human nutrition

2

: nourishment sense 1

… get adequate nutrition both before and during the race.

—John Hanc

nutritional

nu̇-ˈtri-sh(ə-)nəl 

nyu̇-

adjective

nutritionally adverb

Examples of nutrition in a Sentence

The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class.

good nutrition and proper exercise

Recent Examples on the Web

Good nutrition helps support heart health, including normal blood pressure management. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2025

Comparing the nutrition data on Zero Sugar and regular Oreos is tricky, since the serving sizes differ. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025

The program has partnered with over 1,000 animal shelters in North America, and has provided over $300 million worth of nutrition to help pets in need. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 11 Dec. 2025

An Arizona couple is facing possible prison time after their parenting practices, shaped by online misinformation about medical care and nutrition, left their 5-month-old child dead and three other children suffering from chronic malnutrition, police and court records show. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nutrition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished

especially : the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and makes use of food substances

2

: nourishment sense 1

Medical Definition

nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

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 sense 1, nourishment

nutritional

-ˈtrish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective

nutritionally

-ē 

adverb