vitamin E

noun

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of vitamin E

: any of several fat-soluble vitamins that are chemically tocopherols whose lack in the human body is associated especially with neurological symptoms (as ataxia and muscle weakness), that are found especially in wheat germ, vegetable oils, egg yolk, and green leafy vegetables or are made synthetically, and that are used chiefly in animal feeds and as antioxidants; especially : alpha-tocopherol

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Recent Examples of vitamin e from the Web

Theoretically, the properties in coconut oil should be beneficial to acne—vitamin E and linoleic acid soothe irritated skin, while lauric acid kills bacteria—but coconut oil hasn’t actually been shown to improve acne in any studies.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "Before You Put Coconut Oil on Your Face, Read This," 7 June 2018
Don't Forget Your Lips Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips do not produce sebum (oil), which naturally contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.

— dr. leslie baumann, miamiherald, "What are the best sunscreens for swimming and sports? | Miami Herald," 22 May 2018
Wexler suggests taking that to the next level by coating your lips with a lip balm infused with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E or shea butter beforehand.

— devon abelman, Allure, "My Lips Felt Incredibly Dry After Getting Lip Injections — Here's Why," 10 May 2018
Luxuries include Mast Brothers Dark Chocolate [8], Kusmi Tea [9] and a Malin & Goetz kit [10] with vitamin E face moisturizer to soothe potential radiation burns.

— joe veix, WSJ, "Survive in Style With a $995 Emergency Kit," 4 May 2018
The formula is concocted of triple lanolin moisturizer, which copies the molecular structure of your own skin lipids, as well as vitamin E to condition and milk to soothe.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Get summer ready with these beach essentials," 11 June 2017
The logical conclusion is that buffalo were unable to eat sufficient, good-quality forage to provide them with vitamin E and selenium and that this deficiency was then passed on to the lions feeding off their meat.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Exclusive: Fatal Disease Likely Found in Lion Cubs for First Time," 11 Apr. 2018
Doctors also recommend reducing your supplement intake (think: vitamin E, omega 3s, etc.) for the same reason.

— erin nicole celletti, Allure, "The Complete Guide to Breast Augmentation," 10 Apr. 2018
Instead, try these nutrition tips to ease your cramps: Load up on omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and magnesium — these nutrients are thought to reduce inflammation and help relieve cramps. Sip ginger tea.

— kara wahlgren, Seventeen, "7 Ways to Make Your Cramps Suck Less," 9 Mar. 2017

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

First Known Use of vitamin e

1925

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

vitamin E

noun

medical Definition of vitamin E

: any of several fat-soluble vitamins that are chemically tocopherols or tocotrienols whose lack in the human body is associated especially with neurological symptoms (as ataxia and muscle weakness), that are found especially in wheat germ, vegetable oils, egg yolk, and green leafy vegetables or are made synthetically, and that are used chiefly in animal feeds and as antioxidants; especially : alpha-tocopherol