folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˈfō-lik- 

: a crystalline vitamin C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and occurs chiefly in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

called also pteroylglutamic acid

Examples of folic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Leucovorin is a form of folic acid, which helps the body produce and maintain new cells. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025

Pregnant women take the synthetic form, folic acid, in prenatal vitamins. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant take a daily folic acid supplement to avoid neural tube and spinal defects in developing fetuses. —Alice Park, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

Leucovorin functions similarly to folic acid, helping to restore folate levels in patients who may have difficulty absorbing or using it, according to Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin folium

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for folic acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- 

: a crystalline vitamin of the B complex used especially in the treatment of anemia resulting from inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- 

: a crystalline vitamin C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, that is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and that occurs especially in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

called also folacin, folate, Lactobacillus casei factor, pteroylglutamic acid, vitamin B_c, vitamin M