nutrition

noun nu·tri·tion \ nu̇-ˈtri-shən , nyu̇- \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Definition of nutrition

1 : the act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

foods that are necessary for human nutrition

2 : nourishment 1

… get adequate nutrition both before and during the race.
—John Hanc

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nutritional

play \nu̇-ˈtrish-nəl, -ˈtri-shə-nᵊl, nyu̇-\ adjective

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nutritionally

adverb

See nutrition defined for English-language learners

See nutrition defined for kids

Examples of nutrition in a Sentence

The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class.
good nutrition and proper exercise

Recent Examples of nutrition from the Web

Improvements in nutrition and GDP might have had the effect of expanding children’s opportunities and cognitive horizons.

— susan pinker, WSJ, "Kids Today Are Actually More Patient Than Kids 50 Years Ago," 11 July 2018
And koalas are fanatically choosy about their leafy greens, favoring the ones high in nutrition and water content and pausing to bury their adorable Yoda-like faces in the leaves for a big sniff before nibbling.

— joel achenbach, Washington Post, "Koala genome shows how the adorable marsupial lives on eucalyptus leaves," 2 July 2018
Although there are no special treatments, doctors recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Hepatitis A outbreak cases on rise across US; Nashville reports outbreak," 30 May 2018
Families should also commit to a lifestyle involving good nutrition and healthy levels of exercise.

— samantha saltz, m.d., miamiherald, "Few discuss the emotional toll of struggling to conceive a child," 30 May 2018
Women who are targeted with aggressive advertising from formula companies need better nutrition and breastfeeding support—not increased access to an expensive breast-milk substitute.

— chloe schama, Vogue, "Donald Trump Tweets About Breastfeeding—But Misses the Whole Point," 10 July 2018
Yet that generally meant forgoing better nutrition and opportunities to experience homemade regional cuisine, hospitality, and ambience.

— dana snitzky, Longreads, "Eating Alone," 6 July 2018
The athlete who brought nutrition and fitness training to women’s tennis is still ripped.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Still Active: At 61, Martina Navratilova is Fully Informed and Fiercely Opinionated," 2 July 2018
The avocado-base offers more nutrition and a superior fat, doesn't compete with the flavor, has a really creamy quality, just like ice cream...

— olivia harrison, refinery29.com, "Cado, The Latest Non-Dairy Ice Cream Brand Has An Avocado Base," 26 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of nutrition

Middle English nutricioun, from Late Latin nutrition-, nutritio, from Latin nutrire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Physiology Terms

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

NUTRITION Defined for English Language Learners

nutrition

noun

Definition of nutrition for English Language Learners

: the process of eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly and be healthy

NUTRITION Defined for Kids

nutrition

noun nu·tri·tion \ nu̇-ˈtri-shən , nyu̇- \

Definition of nutrition for Students

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished : the processes by which a living thing takes in and uses nutrients

Medical Dictionary

nutrition

noun nu·tri·tion \ n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən \

medical Definition of nutrition

1 : the act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

2 : food 1, nourishment

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