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”; nourish ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Used for lactation suppression, nutrition, a cute hat or coleslaw.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Beijing’s support could help stabilize sentiment in formula, nutrition, and baby-care categories that have been shrinking with the birthrate.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

But the amount of people using generative A.I. for things like mental health support and nutrition advice makes these discrepancies troubling.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

The research highlights a key point about nutrition and supplements.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

The crowding, poor nutrition, and lack of hygiene made disease rampant; from typhus to scarlet fever, from malnutrition to psychosis, illness of some kind struck nearly every family.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• nourishment