ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nutrient

n. · adj.
US //ˈnutɹiənt// UK //njˈuːtɹiənt// nu·tri·ent
  1. 1 source of nourishment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a chemical or substance that a living thing needs to stay healthy and grow.

    a substance that an organism must obtain from its environment for growth and the maintenance of life.

    Example

    Vegetables are full of important nutrients like vitamins and fiber.

    Example

    The soil was depleted of essential nutrients after years of intensive farming without crop rotation.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the plural when referring to various types of food components.
  2. 2 providing nourishment (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Science

    describing something that provides the things your body needs to grow.

    providing nourishment or serving as a source of food for an organism.

    Example

    The scientist studied the nutrient properties of the new grain.

    Example

    The nutrient value of the algae was assessed to determine its suitability as a sustainable biofuel source.

    Usage

    In modern English, 'nutritious' is much more common as an adjective; 'nutrient' as an adjective is largely restricted to technical or academic writing.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin nūtriēns, present participle of nūtriō (“I suckle, nourish, foster”).

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