nutrient

/ˈnjuː.tɹi.ənt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: nutrients

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue.

Noun

Examples

Even second-generation biofuels, made from crop wastes or wood, are an environmental disaster, either extending the cultivated area or removing the straw and stovers which protect the soil from erosion and keep carbon and nutrients in the ground.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Providing nourishment.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “nutrient” mean?

A source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue.

Is “nutrient” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.