nutrient

American  

[noo-tree-uhnt, nyoo-] / ˈnu tri ənt, ˈnyu- /

adjective

1. nourishing; nourishing; providing nourishment or nutriment.

2. containing or conveying nutriment, as solutions or vessels of the body.

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noun

1. a nutrient substance.

nutrient British  

/ ˈnjuːtrɪənt /

noun

1. any of the mineral substances that are absorbed by the roots of plants for nourishment

2. any substance that nourishes an organism

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adjective

1. providing or contributing to nourishment

   a nutrient solution

nutrient Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′trē-ənt /

1. A substance that provides nourishment for growth or metabolism. Plants absorb nutrients mainly from the soil in the form of minerals and other inorganic compounds, and animals obtain nutrients from ingested foods.

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Other Word Forms

• nonnutrient adjective

Etymology

Origin of nutrient

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin nūtrient-, stem of nūtriēns “feeding,” present participle of nūtrīre “to feed”; nourish

Example Sentences

Ultraprocessed foods vary widely in composition, nutrient profiles and how they’re processed.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

Nutritionists generally recommend filling nutrient gaps through food rather than supplements when possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

These microscopic organisms help control bacterial populations, support nutrient cycling, and serve as indicators of soil health.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

It also assessed the nutrient and bioactive profile of pecans, including unsaturated fats, fiber and polyphenols, and identified gaps that should be addressed in future research.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

But if the body doesn’t need a nutrient at the time that it is taken in, it won’t absorb it.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• fiber
• food
• mineral
• vitamin