Main Entry: vi·ta·min

Variant(s): also vi·ta·mine \ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit-\

Function: 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