provitamin

noun

pro·​vi·​ta·​min (ˌ)prō-ˈvī-tə-mən How to pronounce provitamin (audio)
: a precursor of a vitamin convertible into the vitamin in an organism

Examples of provitamin in a Sentence

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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.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, so the proponents of this trend advocate for eating foods rich in vitamin A or beta-carotene, a provitamin the body converts into retinol.123 Fruits and vegetables with yellow, orange, and green hues—such as carrots and papayas—contain high amounts of beta-carotene. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025 Some natural supplements like cod liver oil contain higher doses of provitamin A, which may not be safe for pregnant people. — Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of provitamin was in 1927

Rhymes for provitamin

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provisory
provitamin
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“Provitamin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provitamin. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

provitamin

noun
pro·​vi·​ta·​min (ˈ)prō-ˈvīt-ə-mən How to pronounce provitamin (audio)
: a precursor of a vitamin convertible into the vitamin in an organism
ergosterol is a provitamin of vitamin D

More from Merriam-Webster on provitamin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about provitamin

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