: 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
SunsetSynonyms
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 WebMegan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2024
Food scientists have determined the optimal amount of blanching time for different vegetables to ensure minimal nutrient loss and inactivation of enzymes while making sure not to cook the vegetables, according to Slupsky.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 June 2024
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 July 2024
During the summer when excess nutrients and pollutants are in the water, the algae is more likely to bloom and release dangerous toxins that can contaminate drinking water and seafood and sicken people and pets.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nutrient 
Adjective
Renovation of any type is initially stressful on grass; wait to renovate until the turf has full moisture and nutrient reserves.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2024
Food scientists have determined the optimal amount of blanching time for different vegetables to ensure minimal nutrient loss and inactivation of enzymes while making sure not to cook the vegetables, according to Slupsky.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 June 2024
Noun
In other situations, the companion plants will help prevent weed growth or add specific nutrients into the soil, like nitrogen, that can boost zucchini growth.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 July 2024
During the summer when excess nutrients and pollutants are in the water, the algae is more likely to bloom and release dangerous toxins that can contaminate drinking water and seafood and sicken people and pets.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nutrient
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nutrient.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nutrient
Cite this Entry
“Nutrient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrient. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share