nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion nu̇-ˈtri-shən  nyu̇- 

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished

specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

foods that are necessary for human nutrition

2

: nourishment sense 1

… get adequate nutrition both before and during the race.

—John Hanc

nutritional

nu̇-ˈtri-sh(ə-)nəl 

nyu̇-

adjective

nutritionally adverb

Examples of nutrition in a Sentence

The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class.

good nutrition and proper exercise

Recent Examples on the Web

Cervera made a series of motions to eliminate about a half-dozen executive director positions, in areas such as food and nutrition, information technology, transportation and maintenance, none of which passed. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026

Wellness initiatives—which are covered by health insurance, when applicable—to improve nutrition and exercise and that teach skills around stress management and sleep will be key to helping women manage their menopause symptoms more effectively. —Shirley Velasquez, Flow Space, 11 May 2026

Why some people might need more protein Even if the majority of people get enough protein, most people isn’t everyone, says Joseph Matthews, who studies protein metabolism and protein nutrition at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. —Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Maye ended up living paycheck to paycheck while working multiple jobs as a researcher at the University of Toronto, including nutrition teacher, model and modeling coach. —Gigi Zamora, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nutricioun, from Late Latin nutrition-, nutritio, from Latin nutrire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nutrition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished

especially : the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and makes use of food substances

2

: nourishment sense 1

Medical Definition

nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

1

: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished

specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

2

: food sense 1, nourishment

nutritional

-ˈtrish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective

nutritionally

-ē 

adverb