First Known Use: circa 1912
Dictionary
vitamin
noun vi·ta·min \ˈvī-tə-mən, British usually ˈvi-\
: a natural substance that is usually found in foods and that helps your body to be healthy
: a pill containing vitamins
Full Definition of VITAMIN
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body
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Origin of VITAMIN
alteration of vitamine, from Latin vita life + English amine
Other Biochemistry Terms
VITAMIN Defined for Kids
vitamin
noun vi·ta·min \ˈvī-tə-mən\
Definition of VITAMIN for Kids
: any of a group of substances that are found naturally in many foods, are necessary in small quantities for good health and normal development and functioning, and are designated by a capital letter and sometimes a number <vitamin B6> <vitamin C>
Medical Dictionary
vitamin
noun vi·ta·min
Medical Definition of VITAMIN
: any of various organic substances that are essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural foodstuffs or are sometimes produced within the body
Variants of VITAMIN
vi·ta·min also vi·ta·mine \ˈvīt-ə-mən, British also ˈvit-\
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Next Word in the Dictionary: vitamin APrevious Word in the Dictionary: vital statisticsAll Words Near: vitamin
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