nutrient
NOO-tree-uhnt
/ˈnuːtriənt/
A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.
A technical term for the specific chemical components of food (like proteins or minerals).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'nutrire', which also gave us 'nurse' and 'nurture'. It carries the sense of protective, caring feeding.
Word relationships
- nourishment: More poetic and less scientific than nutrient.
- toxin: A poisonous substance that is harmful to life.
Commonly confused with
- nutrition: Nutrition is the process of providing or obtaining food; a nutrient is the actual substance.
Word family
- nutritional (adjective): Relating to nutrition.
- nutritious (adjective): Efficient as food; nourishing.
Collocations
- essential nutrient
- nutrient-dense
- absorb nutrients
Example sentences
- "A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce." A basic definition in a biology textbook. (Biology: The Core by Eric J. Simon)
- "The heavy rains washed away the topsoil, leaving the land stripped of every vital nutrient." Discussing the benefits of soil health.
Memory hook
Nutrients are what a 'nurse' would give you to make you 'new' again. Nutrients nurture you.
When not to use
Avoid using it when you just mean 'food' in a general, social sense.
Fun facts
- Plants require 17 essential nutrients to complete their life cycle, most of which they get from soil and air.
Related words
Explore more words
nutritional, sustenance, macronutrient, undernourished, metabolism, culture
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