nutraceutical

noun nu·tra·ceu·ti·cal \ ˌnü-trə-ˈsü-ti-kəl \

variants: or less commonly nutriceutical

Definition of nutraceutical

: a foodstuff (such as a fortified food or dietary supplement) that provides health benefits in addition to its basic nutritional value

See nutraceutical defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of nutraceutical from the Web

Awbrey, now 60, turned to an organization that helps people get off addictive drugs with tapering suggestions, nutraceuticals (medicinal food products) and other support.

— janice neumann, ajc, "Doctors don't provide enough information about the side effects of drugs," 29 July 2017
Awbrey, now 60, turned to an organization that helps people get off addictive drugs with tapering suggestions, nutraceuticals (medicinal food products) and other support.

— janice neumann, Washington Post, "Doctors often don’t tell you about drug side effects, and that’s a problem," 29 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of nutraceutical

nutritive + ²(pharm)aceutical

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1990

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NUTRACEUTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

nutraceutical

noun

Definition of nutraceutical for English Language Learners

: a specially treated food, vitamin, mineral, herb, etc., that you eat or drink in order to improve your health

Medical Dictionary

nutraceutical

noun nu·tra·ceu·ti·cal

variants: also nutriceutical \ˌn(y)ü-trə-ˈsü-ti-kəl\

medical Definition of nutraceutical

: a foodstuff (as a fortified food or a dietary supplement) that is held to provide health or medical benefits in addition to its basic nutritional value — called also functional food