: 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
SunsetExamples 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 Web
Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Prized for its blue-green foliage and narrow habit, 'Taylor' juniper is easy to grow throughout the South in a variety of soils, including dry, clay, compacted, and nutrient-poor sites.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
This helps conserve soil moisture and manages weeds that compete with saplings for water and nutrients.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nutrient
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Adjective
At every stage, sensors and AI models assess nutrient depletion in real time, determining when fresh water needs to be introduced.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Prized for its blue-green foliage and narrow habit, 'Taylor' juniper is easy to grow throughout the South in a variety of soils, including dry, clay, compacted, and nutrient-poor sites.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 May 2026
Noun
Some lawns may only need a minor nutrient application, which is usually permitted at any time.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
This helps conserve soil moisture and manages weeds that compete with saplings for water and nutrients.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nutrient
Cite this Entry
“Nutrient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrient. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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