vitamin C

noun

: a water-soluble vitamin C₆H₈O₆ found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid

Examples of vitamin C in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Courtesy of David Jack From retinol and vitamin C to hyaluronic acid and peptides, the beauty industry appears to always be searching for the next breakthrough ingredient. — Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Guidance from Michigan State University recommends pretreating fruit by soaking it in a mixture of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and cold water, and steam blanching vegetables before dehydrating them. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and the B vitamins can diminish somewhat during the canning process, but minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients largely remain intact. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026

Lemons have lots of nutrients, including plenty of vitamin C and fiber. — Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vitamin C

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee
• assignee

Kids Definition

vitamin C

noun

: a vitamin that is present especially in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables and is needed by the body to prevent scurvy

called also ascorbic acid

Medical Definition

vitamin C

noun

: a water-soluble vitamin C₆H₈O₆ found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid