vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvī-tə-mən 

British usually

ˈvi- 

: 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

The amount of protein differs between types of nuts, and nuts also provide a range of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025

Around the same time, a crop of influential food chemists introduced the concept of vitamins and minerals to the general public, and loudly pitched daily milk drinking as a low-cost life hack for better health and vigor. —HubSpot, 2 May 2025

This summer he's focused on protecting your most sensitive skin with the launch of his mineral spf 30 lip serum, a silky formula that's packed with peptides and vitamin C to brighten and peptides to firm. —Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 May 2025

The variety of oil-soluble and encapsulated water-soluble vitamin C helps combat dull tone and lessen the appearance of hyperpigmentation. —Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine

First Known Use

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vitamin

• B vitamin
• vitamin A
• vitamin B6
• vitamin B complex
• vitamin C
• vitamin D3
• vitamin E
• vitamin H
• vitamin K3

Kids Definition

vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən 

: 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

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit- 

: 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