niacin

noun ni·a·cin \ ˈnī-ə-sən \

Definition of niacin

: an acid C₆H₅NO₂ of the vitamin B complex found widely in animals and plants and used especially against pellagra; also : nicotinamide — called also nicotinic acid

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Recent Examples of niacin from the Web

The nutty spread also offers vitamins and minerals including the B vitamin niacin, iron, potassium and vitamin E. The healthiest peanut butter is made from just peanuts, while added salt, sugars and oils change its nutritional profile.

— lisa drayer, CNN, "Is peanut butter healthy?," 1 Sep. 2017
Giving the mutant pregnant mice low doses of niacin led to pups with less severe defects, and a niacin-rich diet allowed the mutant mice to give birth to healthy litters.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "Vitamin B3 could help prevent birth defects," 9 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'niacin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of niacin

nicotinic acid + ¹-in

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1942

in the meaning defined above

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NIACIN Defined for English Language Learners

niacin

noun

Definition of niacin for English Language Learners

: a type of natural substance (called a vitamin) that is found in certain foods and that helps your body to be healthy

Medical Dictionary

niacin

noun ni·a·cin \ ˈnī-ə-sən \

medical Definition of niacin

: a crystalline acid C₆H₅NO₂ that is a member of the vitamin B complex occurring usually in the form of a complex of niacinamide in various animal and plant parts (as blood, liver, yeast, bran, and legumes) and is used especially to lower LDL and triglyceride levels in the blood and to treat pellagra — called also nicotinic acid