nutrition

noun

nu·​tri·​tion nu̇-ˈtri-shən How to pronounce nutrition (audio) nyu̇- How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
1
: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished
specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances
foods that are necessary for human nutrition
2
: nourishment sense 1
… get adequate nutrition both before and during the race.— John Hanc
nutritional
nu̇-ˈtri-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
nyu̇-
adjective
nutritionally adverb

Examples of nutrition in a Sentence

The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class. good nutrition and proper exercise
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Republicans have praised additional funding in the measure for programs like nutrition assistance for women, infants and children, while Democrats have railed against cuts to medical research and housing programs — and more than $1 billion in cuts to D.C.'s local government spending. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025 Keep in mind that nutrition, or cancer treatments like chemotherapy, also can be the reason for hair loss. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025 Multiplying that by thousands and forcing schools to manage all that data in order to simply requalify for school nutrition programs could be a disaster in the making, as well as cut off perhaps the only meals some of these students receive each day. — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 The comments about the importance of nutrition come amid the U.S. Department of Agriculture cutting two programs that funded food banks and school lunches, the Guardian reports. — Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nutrition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nutricioun, from Late Latin nutrition-, nutritio, from Latin nutrire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nutrition was in the 15th century

Rhymes for nutrition

See All Rhymes for nutrition

Browse Nearby Words

nutrition
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Cite this Entry

“Nutrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutrition. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

nutrition

noun
nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
1
: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished
especially : the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and makes use of food substances
2
: nourishment sense 1

Medical Definition

nutrition

noun
nu·​tri·​tion n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
1
: the act or process of nourishing or being nourished
specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances
2
: food sense 1, nourishment
nutritional
-ˈtrish-nəl, -ən-ᵊl How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
adjective
nutritionally
-ē How to pronounce nutrition (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on nutrition

Nglish: Translation of nutrition for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nutrition

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