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Synonyms

micronutrient

American  
[mahy-kroh-noo-tree-uhnt, -nyoo-] / ˌmaɪ kroʊˈnu tri ənt, -ˈnyu- /

noun

Biochemistry.

  1. an essential nutrient, as a trace mineral or vitamin, that is required by an organism in minute amounts.

micronutrient British  
/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈnjuːtrɪənt /

noun

  1. any substance, such as a vitamin or trace element, essential for healthy growth and development but required only in minute amounts

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of micronutrient

First recorded in 1935–40; micro- + nutrient

Vocabulary lists containing micronutrient

Nutrition - Introductory

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Nutrition - Middle School

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Nutrition - High School

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The largest gains would occur in countries already facing serious hunger and micronutrient deficiencies.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

Vitamin B1 is an essential micronutrient for human beings.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

"Globally, around 340 million children under five suffer from multiple micronutrient deficiencies, which not only affect their growth but also significantly alter their gut microbiomes," said Dr. Littlejohn.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2023

Importantly, mice with micronutrient deficiencies also exhibited a higher enrichment of genes that have been linked to antibiotic resistance.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2023

Known in the public health sphere as multiple micronutrient supplements, this new generation of supplements contains 13 additional nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, and C, as well as zinc and other elements.

From National Geographic • Sep. 12, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.