: 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
Mayo Clinic Health LetterMost 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
Robert Lee SmithSandy soils need organic amendments to help them retain nutrients and water, which otherwise leach out quickly.—Sunset
SunsetExamples 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
Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Both hemp seeds and chia seeds are nutrient-dense foods that can support weight loss when incorporated into a balanced diet.
—T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Celery juice is rich in multiple nutrients and has many potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nutrient
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Adjective
Amending beds with organic material will help build nutrient-rich soil over winter, which is vital to healthy plants.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Both hemp seeds and chia seeds are nutrient-dense foods that can support weight loss when incorporated into a balanced diet.
—T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Apply a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen to provide the necessary nutrients for regrowth.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
Celery juice is rich in multiple nutrients and has many potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nutrient
Cite this Entry
“Nutrient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrient. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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