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sup·ple·ment
ˈsə-plə-mənt 
1
a
: something that completes or makes an addition
2
: a part added to or issued as a continuation of a book or periodical to correct errors or make additions
3
: an angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc equals 180°
sup·ple·ment
ˈsə-plə-ˌment
supplemented; supplementing; supplements
: to add or serve as a supplement to
does odd jobs to supplement his income
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
the supplement to the encyclopedia
First-class accommodation is available for a supplement.
Verb
She began supplementing her diet with vitamins.
Recent Examples on the Web
Emilia Benton, Women's Health, 10 Mar. 2023
According to the report, tens of thousands of cattle have been raised on farms that are damaging tropical forests in order to produce the viral supplement.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023
Aman skincare, Aman Fine Fragrance which include candles, bath oils, moisturizers or the health supplement SVA optimise wellbeing and holistic experiences.
—Cécilia Pelloux, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
Wholesale distributors market and sell bulk kratom to regional distributors or directly to bars, electronic cigarette shops and some health food and nutritional supplement stores.
—Helen Freund And Kirby Wilson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2023
But Mackey said school systems need a supplement to that because of the sharp rise in construction costs.
—Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 5 Mar. 2023
NSD Herbal, which sells the supplement Cindy purchased, did not yet respond to a request for comment.
—WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Ultimately, the general solution is two-fold—eat more vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish and take a supplement.
—Lacey Muinos, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2023
The good news is that the fiber supplement seems to be lowering my cholesterol for the first time in 20 years!
—Joe Graedon, M.s., And Teresa Graedon, Ph.d., oregonlive, 21 Feb. 2023
Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023
Everest Full Spectrum Gummies are an easy and delicious way to supplement your diet with CBD.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2023
For those people, supplementation is simply that: a way to supplement (note: not replace) an otherwise healthful diet.
—Men's Health, 8 Nov. 2022
One way to supplement traditional surveillance methods became more popular throughout the pandemic: tracking levels of virus shed in local sewage systems.
—Deidre Mcphillips, CNN, 27 Oct. 2022
This account will also permit your employers to supplement your contributions as their employees with their additions.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Oct. 2022
Now, Cyrot will be able to supplement her existing fruit sources with the 15 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted at Oso.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug. 2022
Incentives: Use platform vendors’ programs to train technical skills, but supplement these with program-specific principles, leading practices and controls.
—Kim Bozzella, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022
Legal in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, California, Vermont, and New York, human composting requires about 12% of the energy of conventional techniques and can be used to supplement the health of other living organisms.
—Danielle Seurkamp, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
See More
Noun
Treatment usually includes making dietary adjustments and/or adding an iron supplement to boost your levels, Dr. Mandal says.
—Emilia Benton, Women's Health, 10 Mar. 2023
According to the report, tens of thousands of cattle have been raised on farms that are damaging tropical forests in order to produce the viral supplement.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023
Aman skincare, Aman Fine Fragrance which include candles, bath oils, moisturizers or the health supplement SVA optimise wellbeing and holistic experiences.
—Cécilia Pelloux, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
Wholesale distributors market and sell bulk kratom to regional distributors or directly to bars, electronic cigarette shops and some health food and nutritional supplement stores.
—Helen Freund And Kirby Wilson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2023
But Mackey said school systems need a supplement to that because of the sharp rise in construction costs.
—Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 5 Mar. 2023
NSD Herbal, which sells the supplement Cindy purchased, did not yet respond to a request for comment.
—WIRED, 24 Feb. 2023
Ultimately, the general solution is two-fold—eat more vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish and take a supplement.
—Lacey Muinos, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2023
The good news is that the fiber supplement seems to be lowering my cholesterol for the first time in 20 years!
—Joe Graedon, M.s., And Teresa Graedon, Ph.d., oregonlive, 21 Feb. 2023
Verb
With Washington never emerging as a popular free agent destination, the Wizards rely more on draft picks and trades to supplement their roster with talent.
—Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Jan. 2023
Everest Full Spectrum Gummies are an easy and delicious way to supplement your diet with CBD.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2023
For those people, supplementation is simply that: a way to supplement (note: not replace) an otherwise healthful diet.
—Men's Health, 8 Nov. 2022
One way to supplement traditional surveillance methods became more popular throughout the pandemic: tracking levels of virus shed in local sewage systems.
—Deidre Mcphillips, CNN, 27 Oct. 2022
This account will also permit your employers to supplement your contributions as their employees with their additions.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Oct. 2022
Now, Cyrot will be able to supplement her existing fruit sources with the 15 acres of Sauvignon Blanc planted at Oso.
—Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Aug. 2022
Incentives: Use platform vendors’ programs to train technical skills, but supplement these with program-specific principles, leading practices and controls.
—Kim Bozzella, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022
Legal in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, California, Vermont, and New York, human composting requires about 12% of the energy of conventional techniques and can be used to supplement the health of other living organisms.
—Danielle Seurkamp, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supplement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin supplēmentum "something added to supply a deficiency or make up a whole, reinforcement," from supplēre "to fill up, complete, raise to its full complement" + -mentum -ment — more at supply entry 2
Verb
derivative of supplement entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1659, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of supplement was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing supplement
Dictionary Entries Near supplement
Cite this Entry
“Supplement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplement. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
supplement
1 of 2 noun
sup·ple·ment
ˈsəp-lə-mənt
1
: something that supplies what is needed or makes an addition
vitamin pills used as dietary supplements
2
: an arc or angle that when added to a given arc or angle equals 180 degrees
supplemental
adjective
ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ᵊl
supplement
2 of 2 verb
sup·ple·ment
ˈsəp-lə-ˌment
: to add to
supplement their incomes by doing odd jobs
Medical Definition
supplement
1 of 2 noun
sup·ple·ment
ˈsəp-lə-mənt
1
: something that completes or makes an addition
supplement
2 of 2 transitive verb
sup·ple·ment
ˈsəp-lə-ˌment
: to add a supplement to : serve as a supplement for
utilizes … surgery to supplement the traditional treatment—Therapeutic Notes
Therapeutic Notes
More from Merriam-Webster on supplement
Nglish: Translation of supplement for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of supplement for Arabic Speakers
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