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.
The formula also features hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, vitamin E to defend against free radicals, and lactic acid for gentle skin-smoothing benefits. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Oct. 2026 Chen advises women in midlife to aim for 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily, ideally from food, with high doses of vitamin D advised for those with low levels. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2026 To limit bruising, patients are often told to avoid alcohol, blood-thinning pain relievers and supplements like ginkgo biloba, ginger, garlic and vitamin E for a few days before and after. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 Pause potent actives like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C when skin is irritated. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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