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

Key nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and other vitamins, are essential for growing hair. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025

But the supplement is mostly a supportive treatment in children with vitamin deficiencies, and taking too much can cause toxicity. —Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025

However, other conditions can also cause this type of bleeding, including bleeding disorders, vitamin deficiency or genetic problems. —Lori Frasier, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025

In the 1980s, Bland worked for two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, where the focus was on determining what role, if any, vitamins and other macronutrients played in bettering health and preventing disease. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Mar. 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