vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvī-tə-mən 

British usually

ˈvi- 

: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body

Examples of vitamin in a Sentence

This cereal contains essential vitamins and minerals.

Did you remember to take your vitamin?

Recent Examples on the Web

Globally, poor diets are contributing to 340 million children lacking essential nutrients and vitamins including iron and vitamin A. —Sydney Cella, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025

Bioactive compounds, including those in certain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, can exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.14 5. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025

Growth factors, peptides, extracts, Centella asiatica, and vitamin K are the stars of the Youth Eye Complex. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025

While meat contains some important nutrients, including protein, iron and vitamin B-12, eating too much of it can raise a person’s risk of cancer and heart disease. —Shalom Daniel, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine

First Known Use

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vitamin

• B vitamin
• vitamin A
• vitamin B6
• vitamin B complex
• vitamin C
• vitamin D3
• vitamin E
• vitamin H
• vitamin K3

Kids Definition

vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən 

: any of various substances that are necessary in very small amounts to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, that are important to the control of growth and development by activating and assisting in the function of enzymes, and that are present naturally in many foods or in some cases are produced within the body

Medical Definition

vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit- 

: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or are sometimes produced within the body