: 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
Mayo Clinic Health LetterMost 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
Robert Lee SmithSandy soils need organic amendments to help them retain nutrients and water, which otherwise leach out quickly.—Sunset
Sunset
Synonyms
Examples of nutrient in a Sentence
Adjective
a breakfast drink enriched with nutrient proteins and vitamins
Noun
Fruits and vegetables have important nutrients.
The soil is low in nutrients.
You need more nutrients in your diet.
Recent Examples on the WebTara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023
Some have called avocados a perfect food thanks to their balance of healthy fats, calories, and nutrient denseness.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023
Adding organic matter to the soil loosens it, increases nutrient and water retention, feeds earthworms, and benefits soil microbes.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 July 2023
Furthermore, prolonged inflammation within the large intestine can lead to nutrient malabsorption.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023
While grains in a tart may seem counterintuitive, whole grains like quinoa or barley are nutrient power hitters and can add some extra bulk to the meal.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 30 Aug. 2023
The calf was struggling with several serious health issues along with nutrient malabsorption, the center said.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Fujii said otters require a lot of food energy to keep warm and fit in the chilly Pacific waters, and that those demands double for mother otters who must feed their unborn pups and then provide enough rich, fatty, nutrient milk to feed their young.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2023
Instead, scientists suggest the trend comes from nutrient distribution—rising temperatures reduce the mixing between different layers of water and limit upwelling of nutrients.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2023
Jenny Comita, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Increasing your blood flow with light physical activity helps bring nutrients to damaged and sore muscles, said Wickham.
—Lauren Del Turco, Health, 20 Nov. 2023
This nourishing, alcohol-free cleanser treats and conditions suede shoes using key, natural ingredients including organic aloe leaf, witch hazel, and castile soap to gently clean suede while replacing essential vitamins and nutrients.
—Alyssa Rotunno, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Soil Amendment: Leaves can be worked directly into soil to break down over time and release additional nutrients in addition to improving drainage.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Pagano’s studies showed that nonnative and invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) fruit, for example, have low levels of nutrients, fats and proteins.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Neglecting Post-Workout Nutrition After a workout, your body is in a prime state to absorb nutrients and start the process of muscle repair and growth.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
Though there is no real nutrition in this detritus, the moths digest largely fungal content and release nutrients from that back into the ecosystem.
—Rina Diane Caballar, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023
In the lab, scientists have formulated peanut butter packets that squeeze in more nutrients while maintaining a savory flavor to entice children to eat them.
—Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
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Adjective
Of note is the severity of nutrient pollution, namely the overabundance of phosphorus and nitrogen in Earth’s waters.
—Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023
Some have called avocados a perfect food thanks to their balance of healthy fats, calories, and nutrient denseness.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023
Adding organic matter to the soil loosens it, increases nutrient and water retention, feeds earthworms, and benefits soil microbes.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 July 2023
Furthermore, prolonged inflammation within the large intestine can lead to nutrient malabsorption.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023
While grains in a tart may seem counterintuitive, whole grains like quinoa or barley are nutrient power hitters and can add some extra bulk to the meal.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 30 Aug. 2023
The calf was struggling with several serious health issues along with nutrient malabsorption, the center said.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2023
Advertisement Fujii said otters require a lot of food energy to keep warm and fit in the chilly Pacific waters, and that those demands double for mother otters who must feed their unborn pups and then provide enough rich, fatty, nutrient milk to feed their young.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2023
Instead, scientists suggest the trend comes from nutrient distribution—rising temperatures reduce the mixing between different layers of water and limit upwelling of nutrients.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2023
Noun
True mosses — classified in the taxonomic group Bryophyta — have neither roots nor flowers and lack the vascular systems that most flora rely on to draw water and nutrients from the soil.
—Jenny Comita, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Increasing your blood flow with light physical activity helps bring nutrients to damaged and sore muscles, said Wickham.
—Lauren Del Turco, Health, 20 Nov. 2023
This nourishing, alcohol-free cleanser treats and conditions suede shoes using key, natural ingredients including organic aloe leaf, witch hazel, and castile soap to gently clean suede while replacing essential vitamins and nutrients.
—Alyssa Rotunno, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
Soil Amendment: Leaves can be worked directly into soil to break down over time and release additional nutrients in addition to improving drainage.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
Pagano’s studies showed that nonnative and invasive bush honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) fruit, for example, have low levels of nutrients, fats and proteins.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Neglecting Post-Workout Nutrition After a workout, your body is in a prime state to absorb nutrients and start the process of muscle repair and growth.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
Though there is no real nutrition in this detritus, the moths digest largely fungal content and release nutrients from that back into the ecosystem.
—Rina Diane Caballar, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023
In the lab, scientists have formulated peanut butter packets that squeeze in more nutrients while maintaining a savory flavor to entice children to eat them.
—Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nutrient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near nutrient
Cite this Entry
“Nutrient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrient. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
nutrient
1 of 2 adjective
nu·tri·ent
ˈn(y)ü-trē-ənt 
: furnishing nourishment
nutrient
2 of 2 noun
: a nutrient substance or ingredient
Medical Definition
nutrient
1 of 2 adjective
nu·tri·ent
ˈn(y)ü-trē-ənt
: furnishing nourishment
nutrient
2 of 2 noun
: a nutritive substance or ingredient
More from Merriam-Webster on nutrient
Nglish: Translation of nutrient for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nutrient for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nutrient
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