nutrient

1 of 2

adjective

nu·​tri·​ent ˈnü-trē-ənt 

ˈnyü-

: furnishing nourishment

nutrient

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Most 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

Sandy soils need organic amendments to help them retain nutrients and water, which otherwise leach out quickly.

—Sunset

Synonyms of nutrient

Adjective

• nutritional
• nutritive

Examples 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

Adjective

Change in food supply On the West Coast, upwelling typically occurs in the spring and summer when winds push warm surface water offshore, allowing deep, cold, nutrient-rich water to rise to the surface. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Wastewater treatment produces nutrient-rich dregs that can be processed into biosolids and spread on farmland, returning nitrogen and phosphorus to soils. — Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Like fruit, these sugars are paired with fiber and other nutrients that help your body absorb them. — Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026

Over time, these rocks are fragmented and broken up into small mineral particles by plant roots forcing open cracks, or lichens secreting chemicals that dissolve rocks to release nutrients. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin nutrient-, nutriens, present participle of nutrire to nourish — more at nourish

First Known Use

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nutrient

• micronutrient

Kids 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