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 of nourishment

• 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

Meanwhile, love planet Venus is right at home in Taurus, and in harmony with Jupiter (exalted) in Cancer, creating a supportive current of abundance rooted in comfort, security and emotional nourishment. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026

Available in eight shades, the lip liners are formulated with hyaluronic filling spheres for a tug-free glide, coconut and jojoba oil blend for lightweight nourishment, and carnauba and candelilla wax blend to help create precise, seamless lines. —Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

Niacinamide helps smooth tone and strengthen the barrier over time, while rosehip and safflower seed oils offer lightweight nourishment. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 2026

Spread the sample size a little wider and nourishment remains desperately scarce. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

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