nutrition

American  

[noo-trish-uhn, nyoo-] / nuˈtrɪʃ ən, nyu- /

noun

1. the act or process of nourishing or of being nourished; the use of food for life, health, and growth.

   Our program helps families learn about nutrition and make the most of their food budget.

2. Biology. the process by which organisms take in and utilize food material.

   Most animals have holozoic nutrition—they take in whole food and then digest it into smaller particles.

3. food or nutriment; any substance used or needed for nourishment.

   Billions of people rely on seafood for essential nutrition.

   The chart shows nutrition information for each menu item, including fat, protein, and so on.

4. the science or study of, or a course of study in, nutrition, especially of humans.

   She has a master's degree in nutrition from the University of Oslo.

5. the pursuit of this science as an occupation or profession.

   She now runs a consultancy specializing in naturopathy and nutrition.

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nutrition British  

/ njuːˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. a process in animals and plants involving the intake of nutrient materials and their subsequent assimilation into the tissues

2. the act or process of nourishing

3. the study of nutrition, esp in humans

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nutrition Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-trĭsh′ən /

1. The process by which living organisms obtain food and use it for growth, metabolism, and repair. The stages of nutrition include ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport, assimilation, and excretion.

2. The scientific study of food and nourishment, including food composition, dietary guidelines, and the roles that various nutrients have in maintaining health.

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Other Word Forms

• hypernutrition
  noun
• nutritional
  adjective
• nutritionally
  adverb
• nutritionary
  adjective
• supernutrition
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nutrition

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin nūtrītiōn- (stem of nūtrītiō ) “a feeding,” equivalent to Latin nūtrīt(us) (past participle of nūtrīre “to feed”; see nourish ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Nutrition is the study of food and drink. If you take a nutrition class, you'll become more aware of the health hazards of junk food. Nutrition also has a more general meaning — the source of materials needed to nourish your body, like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and protein. When you study nutrition, you learn the right combinations of these to have great health. You also gain an understanding of how the body uses food to produce energy, grow stronger and repair itself — this process is also called nutrition.

Example Sentences

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has decreased by nearly 3.5 million people since stricter eligibility requirements were enacted last July, federal data show.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Bridget Benelam, from the British Nutrition Foundation, says having low levels of B6 is rare in people in the UK because it's found in so many foods.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Every month, Sarah receives $219 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for her and her 9-year-old.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

In a statement to Salon, Enfamil manufacturer Mead Johnson Nutrition said the company was “disappointed” that Florida “announced results without sharing any data or detailed testing methodology, which may unnecessarily scare parents and caregivers.”

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

The Bureau of Nutrition Education has distributed endless flyers encouraging us to eat potato skins, drink skim milk, try cow brains.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• nourishment