: 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 WebJireh 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
Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Agriculture runoff brings excess nutrients from fertilizers and manure into nearby waterways, which can incite harmful algae blooms, a public health risk.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nutrient 
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
This serum will help support visible thickness and strength, reduce hair breakage, and replenish nutrients directly at the scalp.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Agriculture runoff brings excess nutrients from fertilizers and manure into nearby waterways, which can incite harmful algae blooms, a public health risk.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 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 5 Oct. 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