: 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 Web
Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
When the soil becomes depleted, pepper plants display signs of nutrient deficiencies, including curled leaves, stunted growth, and poor fruiting.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2024
Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Some may have more nutrients than others, but none of them represent a balanced diet by themselves.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nutrient 
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Adjective
Behl said the diatomite tells him that the area was nutrient rich with algae that supported a complex ecosystem including dolphins, fish and whales that crowded the area for food.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024
When the soil becomes depleted, pepper plants display signs of nutrient deficiencies, including curled leaves, stunted growth, and poor fruiting.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2024
Noun
Choose snack foods that fill you up and provide your body with essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Some may have more nutrients than others, but none of them represent a balanced diet by themselves.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nutrient
Dictionary Entries Near nutrient
Cite this Entry
“Nutrient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrient. Accessed 20 Nov. 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
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