menadione

noun

men·a·di·one ˌme-nə-ˈdī-ˌōn

-dī-ˈōn

: a yellow crystalline synthetic compound C₁₁H₈O₂ that is a provitamin converted to vitamin K₂ in the body

called also vitamin K₃

Etymology

methyl + napthalene + di- + ketone

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of menadione was in 1941

See more words from the same year

menad

menadione

Menadonese

See all Nearby Words

Style

“Menadione.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/menadione. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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menadione

noun

men·a·di·one ˌmen-ə-ˈdī-ˌōn, -dī-ˈ

: a yellow crystalline synthetic naphthoquinone compound C₁₁H₈O₂ that is a provitamin converted to vitamin K₂ in the body

called also vitamin K₃