vitamin B12

noun

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
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.
Several blood tests can help identify vitamin B12 deficiency:3 Vitamin B12 level: While this blood test not a common screening tool unless a deficiency is suspected, a serum vitamin B12 level can diagnose a B12 deficiency. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 11 Jan. 2025 These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels. Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024 Tempeh is also highly digestible compared to other soybean products because the fermentation enables nutrients such as vitamin B12 and calcium to become more soluble. Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 21 Dec. 2024 The bird’s dark meat is high in vitamin B12, which is only found naturally in animal products. Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 One study found that low vitamin B12 levels and high vitamin B9 levels were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 30 Oct. 2024 The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Low vitamin B12 levels can contribute to elevated homocysteine, an amino acid. Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024 For example, meat contains not only protein, but also iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Caroline Tien, SELF, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vitamin B12 was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near vitamin B12

Cite this Entry

“Vitamin B12.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin%20B12. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on vitamin B12

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