nutrient

adjective nu·tri·ent \ ˈnü-trē-ənt , ˈnyü- \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: nutrient in a Sentence

Definition of nutrient

: furnishing nourishment

See nutrient defined for kids

Examples of nutrient in a Sentence

a breakfast drink enriched with nutrient proteins and vitamins

Recent Examples of nutrient from the Web

And that’s what Chefs Brigaid had to work with to replace the district’s processed, pre-packaged meals with varied, nutrient-dense foods.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "World-Class Chef Reimagines School Lunch In New London," 2 June 2018
Students used the bird’s droppings to create compost and nutrient-rich fertilizer for more than 100 fruit trees that have been planted on the school’s campus and across the street at a community garden.

— shelby webb, Houston Chronicle, "Dog attack leaves more than 100 birds dead at Furr HS agriculture pen," 31 May 2018
Some populations could experience nutrient deficiencies in the future, some studies found.

— chelsea harvey, Scientific American, "As CO2 Levels Rise, Rice Becomes Less Nutritious," 24 May 2018
Farmer Kaboussa Mohammed – no relation to Milouda Mohammed – is optimistic for the tilapia and catfish being raised on his one-hectare farm, saying the nutrient-rich water from his pond has improved his dates.

— thin lei win, The Christian Science Monitor, "Algeria invests in desert fish farming to boost food production," 21 May 2018
Careful planning can prevent any potential nutrient deficiencies.

— jaclyn london, ms, rd, cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Should Know About Vegan Diets," 24 Apr. 2018
Chef Andy Newman of pHuel cafe in Cleveland offered familiar foods retrofitted in his style, with fresh, more nutrient-dense ingredients.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Cleveland chefs cook up surprises for families at Ronald McDonald House (photos, recipes)," 4 Apr. 2018
In Chicago-region gardens, some of the most common causes of chlorosis among trees and shrubs include nutrient deficiencies that are related to soil alkalinity (high pH), drought, poor drainage and compacted soil.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Lack of chlorophyll may be culprit behind tree's yellow leaves," 3 Apr. 2018
Could chefs create a demand for new varieties that were more experimental and interesting and diverse, more nutrient-dense and more thoroughly delicious, from root to stem to leaf?

— tejal rao, New York Times, "Seeds Only a Plant Breeder Could Love, Until Now," 27 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of nutrient

Latin nutrient-, nutriens, present participle of nutrire to nourish — more at nourish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1650

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

nutrient Synonyms

Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

nutrient

noun

Definition of nutrient

: a substance or ingredient that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life

Tomatoes contain a lot of nutrients, among them vitamins C and B-complex and the minerals iron and potassium.
—Mayo Clinic Health Letter

Most frugivores do not depend exclusively on fruits, because fruits tend to be deficient in certain nutrients such as protein, and because they are only seasonally available.
—Robert Lee Smith

Sandy soils need organic amendments to help them retain nutrients and water, which otherwise leach out quickly.
—Sunset

See nutrient defined for English-language learners

Examples of nutrient in a Sentence

Fruits and vegetables have important nutrients.
The soil is low in nutrients.
You need more nutrients in your diet.

Recent Examples of nutrient from the Web

The pulsing mass can expertly find the shortest path to food, building a series of tube-like structures that circulate nutrients and chemical signals.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Brainless Creatures Can Do Some Incredibly Smart Things," 21 May 2018
One of Cassini's greatest discoveries was on moon Enceladus, uncovering water, vapor and geysers, and plumes that form only in water, meaning the possibility of nutrients, and maybe even life.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "See Saturn's Rings and Three Moons In Cassini Photo," 12 May 2018
Dark leafy greens are a universally healthy food group, rich in many beneficial nutrients.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "From oatmeal to sardines, 7 foods that really can help hearts stay healthy," 7 May 2018
The American Institute for Cancer Research said summer eating usually resorts to fast food, home delivery or other packaged food high in fat and calories and low in nutrients.

— Indianapolis Star, "RECIPES: Beat the Heat," 4 May 2018
Many of the foods listed below are high in nutrients like fiber, which feeds healthy gut microbes.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "10 Foods Filled With Probiotics," 12 Apr. 2018
Crickets contain essential amino acids and are high in nutrients such as omega-3s, calcium and iron.

— jen skerritt, Bloomberg.com, "Cricket Muffins, Anyone? Canadian Food Giant Bets on Insects," 11 Apr. 2018
Today, to keep the garden healthy, duff from decaying logs, tree stumps and fallen limbs are used to provide nutrients, so little fertilization is required, says Lintault.

— homes & gardens of the northwest staff, OregonLive.com, "Visit the Smith Garden's blooming rhodies and azaleas (photos)," 30 Mar. 2018
From wildebeests thundering across the Serengeti plains to monarch butterflies fluttering through North American skies, animal migrations are everywhere, marking the seasons, redistributing vital nutrients, reawakening the senses.

— chicagotribune.com, "Americans take more opioids than any other country — but not because they're in more pain," 26 Mar. 2018