¹supplement

noun sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-mənt\

: something that is added to something else in order to make it complete

: an extra part that is added to a book or newspaper

: an amount of money that must be paid in addition to the regular price

Full Definition of SUPPLEMENT

a : something that completes or makes an addition

b : dietary supplement

: a part added to or issued as a continuation of a book or periodical to correct errors or make additions

: an angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc equals 180°

See supplement defined for English-language learners

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Origin of SUPPLEMENT

Middle English, from Latin supplementum, from supplēre to fill up, complete — more at supply

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUPPLEMENT

Synonyms: accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, expansion, gain, increment, [+]more [-]hide, plus, proliferation, raise, rise, step-up, increase, uptick

Antonyms: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

²supplement

transitive verb sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-ˌment\

: to add something to (something) in order to make it complete

Full Definition of SUPPLEMENT

: to add or serve as a supplement to <does odd jobs to supplement his income>

— sup·ple·men·ta·tion \ˌsə-plə-ˌmen-ˈtā-shən, -mən-\ noun

— sup·ple·ment·er \ˈsə-plə-ˌmen-tər\ noun

First Known Use of SUPPLEMENT

1749

SUPPLEMENT Defined for Kids

¹supplement

noun sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-mənt\

Definition of SUPPLEMENT for Kids

: something that supplies what is needed or adds to something else <a food supplement>

Word Root of SUPPLEMENT

The Latin word plēre, meaning “to fill,” gives us the root ple. Words from the Latin plēre have something to do with filling or being full. Anything replete with something is full of that particular thing or quality. Something complete is totally full and finished. To deplete is to lessen the amount of something that was once full. A supplement is something that fills in something that is missing.