vitamin
n. countablen. a natural substance found in food that your body needs to stay healthy and grow. You only need small amounts of them, but they are very important for your skin, bones, and energy.
n. any of a group of organic compounds which are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C.
If you do not eat enough fresh vegetables, you might need to take a daily vitamin supplement to stay healthy.
While a balanced diet typically provides all necessary nutrients, certain medical conditions can hinder the absorption of a specific vitamin, leading to long-term health complications if left untreated.
1920, originally vitamine (1912), from Latin vīta (“life”) (see vital) + amine (see amino acids). Vitamine coined by Polish biochemist Casimir Funk after the initial discovery of aberic acid (thiamine), when it was thought that all such nutrients would be amines. The term had become ubiquitous by the time it was discovered that vitamin C, among others, had no amine component. In 1920, British biochemist Jack Drummond proposed that the final -e be dropped to deemphasize the amine reference. The ending -in was acceptable because it was used for natural substances of undefined composition. Drummond also introduced the lettering system of nomenclature (Vitamin A, B, C, etc.) at this same time.
Often used as a countable noun when referring to specific types (Vitamin A, Vitamin B) or supplement pills.