folic acid

noun

fo·​lic acid ˈfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: a crystalline vitamin C19H19N7O6 of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and occurs chiefly in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

called also pteroylglutamic acid

Examples of folic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More to Read Column: California wants to mandate folic acid in tortillas to help babies. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024 California Column: California wants to mandate folic acid in tortillas to help babies. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024 Just one tablespoon provides 3.5 grams of fiber, seven grams of protein, and several B vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B6. Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 May 2024 Arambula wants to address clear disparities in who gets the necessary amount of folic acid. Ana B. Ibarra, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for folic acid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'folic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin folium

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of folic acid was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near folic acid

Cite this Entry

“Folic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folic%20acid. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

folic acid

noun
fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: a crystalline vitamin of the B complex used especially in the treatment of anemia resulting from inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

folic acid

noun
fo·​lic acid ˌfō-lik- How to pronounce folic acid (audio)
: a crystalline vitamin C19H19N7O6 of the B complex that is required for normal production of red blood cells, that is used especially in the treatment of nutritional anemias, and that occurs especially in green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, dried beans, and mushrooms

called also folacin, folate, Lactobacillus casei factor, pteroylglutamic acid, vitamin Bc, vitamin M

More from Merriam-Webster on folic acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!