nourishment

noun

nour·​ish·​ment ˈnər-ish-mənt 

ˈnə-rish-

1

a

: food, nutriment

b

: sustenance sense 3

books for intellectual nourishment

2

: the act of nourishing : the state of being nourished

Synonyms

• food
• sustenance

Examples of nourishment in a Sentence

These children are suffering because they lack proper nourishment.

Soil provides nourishment to plants.

Recent Examples on the Web

That extra nourishment and moisture is thanks mostly to the omega’s long-chain fatty acids, which act primarily on the surface of the hair, protecting against friction and heat. —Philipp Wehsack, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2025

Whether worked into braids or smoothed over a fresh blowout, this oil delivers lasting nourishment while looking right at home in its sculptural, vanity-ready bottle. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025

Like the West African Dish fufu, both the moisturizer and its applicator are meant to provide nourishment to the body. —Essence, 26 Aug. 2025

Ironweed, boneset, phlox and black-eyed Susans offer nourishment to pollinators such as bumblebees. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for nourishment

• undernourishment

Kids Definition

nourishment

noun

nour·​ish·​ment ˈnər-ish-mənt 

ˈnə-rish-

1

: something that nourishes : food, nutriment

2

: the act of nourishing : the state of being nourished

Medical Definition

nourishment

noun

nour·​ish·​ment ˈnər-ish-mənt, ˈnə-rish- 

1

: food sense 1, nutriment

2

: the act of nourishing or the state of being nourished