Definitions for vitamin
ˈvaɪ tə mɪn; Brit. also ˈvɪt ə-; -mɪn, -ˌminvi·ta·min

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. vitaminnoun

   any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism

GCIDE(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Vitaminnoun

   any of several organic chemical substances not synthesized by an animal and required in small quantities for normal metabolism, present in and obtained from the natural foods eaten by the animal. Human vitamins are also produced synthetically, and taken in pure form or in mixtures, as dietary supplements. Deficiencies of specific vitamins lead to certain specific disorders, such as scurvy, caused by an insufficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Most vitamins act as coenzymes or precursors to coenzymes, and are not consumed for energy production or incorporated into structural units of the cell.

Wiktionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. vitaminnoun

   Any of a specific group of organic compounds essential in small quantities for healthy human growth, metabolism, development, and body function; found in minute amounts in plant and animal foods or sometimes produced synthetically; deficiencies of specific vitamins produce specific disorders.

   Etymology: 1920, originally vitamine (1912), from vita (see vital) + amine (see amino acid). Vitamine coined by Polish biochemist 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 proposed that the final -e be dropped to deemphasize the amine reference. The ending -in was acceptable because it was used for neutral substances of undefined composition. Drummond introduced the lettering system of nomenclature (Vitamin A, B, C, etc.) also at this same time.

Freebase(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Vitamin

   A vitamin is an organic compound required by an organism as a vital nutrient in limited amounts. An organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and on the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid is a vitamin for humans, but not for most other animals, and biotin and vitamin D are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances. By convention, the term vitamin includes neither other essential nutrients, such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids nor the large number of other nutrients that promote health but are otherwise required less often. Thirteen vitamins are universally recognized at present. Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" refers to a number of vitamer compounds that all show the biological activity associated with a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals is grouped under an alphabetized vitamin "generic descriptor" title, such as "vitamin A", which includes the compounds retinal, retinol, and four known carotenoids. Vitamers by definition are convertible to the active form of the vitamin in the body, and are sometimes inter-convertible to one another, as well.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. vitamin

   A type of matter naturally produced by the body of a human being, animal or living organism.

   Vitamins are created and produced naturally by nature and occur naturally within the body.

   Submitted by MaryC on March 28, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Nutriment

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'vitamin' in Nouns Frequency: #2538

How to pronounce vitamin?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say vitamin in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of vitamin in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of vitamin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of vitamin in a Sentence

1. Vickie Kloeris:

   A crew member can obtain their nutritional requirements from our food system, and they are allowed to supplement if they desire to do so. The only supplement we provide is Vitamin D because they don’t have sunlight exposure.

2. Pina LoGiudice:

   Studies show that the more sleep you get, the better your immune system will be, i would also recommend a small dose of vitamin C when a woman has a cold. You don’t want to take too much of it because it can induce contractions, so I usually keep it at anywhere less than 500 mg. I love Neti pots, especially if there is a sinus infection. And doing saltwater gargles if you have a sore throat.

3. Adam Friedman:

   It was an evolutionary mechanism [ to meet D needs ] when we didn't have a Walgreens down the street from us, now, we can get vitamin D from our diet or through supplementation.

4. Alyssa Burnison:

   Your body converts the beta-carotene to vitamin A, which has been known to support immune function and eye health.

5. Gene Baur:

   [Vitamins and minerals] often work in concert. It’s easier to absorb iron, for example, when you’re also eating Vitamin C.

Popularity rank by frequency of use