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

Sewage also poses significant environmental risks – it increases nutrients in the water leading to algal blooms which then eventually denies other wildlife oxygen, including fish.

From BBC

It damages the small intestine so the body cannot properly take in nutrients.

From BBC

Because the sediment is rich in organic matter and nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, it can store these compounds and potentially release them back into the environment over time.

From Science Daily

The way foods are processed could play an independent role in cardiovascular risk, making it important to consider both processing and nutrient content.

From Science Daily

Their findings suggest the drug may protect the liver while also improving the body's ability to absorb nutrients after surgery.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• fiber
• food
• mineral
• vitamin