vitamin

noun

vi·​ta·​min ˈvī-tə-mən How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
British usually
ˈvi- How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body

Examples of vitamin in a Sentence

This cereal contains essential vitamins and minerals. Did you remember to take your vitamin?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its signature SuperVitamin blend now has five times the vitamins, including niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help repair skin damage, panthenol (vitamin B5) to nourish and replenish moisture, and vitamin C to visibly brighten the complexion over time. — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 2 Sep. 2026 Like other cucumber varietals, English cucumbers are packed with fiber and vitamins. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026 The honey sourced from the island contains a distinct composition of amino acids, vitamins, and other naturally occurring components. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026 The fall fruit is high in vitamin C, which is needed for immune function, heart health, and iron absorption, according to Elick. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vitamin

Word History

Etymology

alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine

First Known Use

circa 1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vitamin was circa 1912

Phrases Containing vitamin

Browse Nearby Words

vital statistics
vitamin
vitamin A
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vitamin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vitamin

noun
vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
: any of various substances that are necessary in very small amounts to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, that are important to the control of growth and development by activating and assisting in the function of enzymes, and that are present naturally in many foods or in some cases are produced within the body

Medical Definition

vitamin

noun
vi·​ta·​min ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit- How to pronounce vitamin (audio)
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or are sometimes produced within the body

More from Merriam-Webster on vitamin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vitamin

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