vitamin B₁₂

noun

-ˈbē-ˈtwelv 

1

: a complex cobalt-containing compound C₆₃H₈₈CoN₁₄O₁₄P that occurs especially in liver, is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth, and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor

called also cyanocobalamin

2

: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B₁₂ in action but having different chemistry

Examples of vitamin B₁₂ in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aim for foods high in potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. —Sarah Jividen, Health, 26 Oct. 2024

These can include thiamine, vitamin B12, iron, and folate. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024

Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to vitamin B12 inactivation and deficiency, according to a 2020 study published by the National Institutes of Health. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024

Packed with vitamin B12 and hyaluronic acid, the serum gives you brighter, more even skin with every use. —Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024

Ritual Multivitamin Women 50+ $43 $30 AMAZON Just two capsules a day provide the benefits of vitamin D3 to support the immune system, calcium to maintain bone health, magnesium and D3 to aid muscle function, and omega-3 DHA and vitamin B12 to support brain health. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024

Three ounces of skipjack tuna, for example, contain iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and a whopping 18 grams of protein, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

While plants do not contain vitamin B12 naturally, many breakfast cereals and nutritional yeasts are fortified with vitamin B12.9 Research indicates that a vitamin B12 deficiency can occur with a heterogeneous list of symptoms. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024

Older adults tend to be at a higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.15 4. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vitamin B₁₂

noun

-ˈbē-ˈtwelv

: a member of the vitamin B complex that contains cobalt, occurs especially in liver, and is needed for normal blood formation, nerve function, and growth

also : any of several other compounds with similar activity

Medical Definition

vitamin B₁₂

noun

-ˈbē-ˈtwelv 

1

: a complex cobalt-containing compound C₆₃H₈₈CoN₁₄O₁₄P found in animal products (as meat and eggs) that is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor

called also cyanocobalamin

2

: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B₁₂ in action but having different chemistry