noun / adjective
nutrient
NOO-tree-unt/ˈnuːtriənt/
A substance that nourishes a living thing, or providing such nourishment.
The plant’s roots absorb nutrients from the soil.
Etymology
The pieces express “nourishing”: nutrient first described something that provides nourishment. Used as a noun, it names the substance doing that nourishing.
In context
potassium is a general nutrient for all plants, being one of the big three improving overall health and strength of the plant. It's a temperature regulator.
More examples
- Protein is an important nutrient in this feed.
- The cells grew in a nutrient solution.
- The label lists the food’s major nutrients.
Forms
nutrient · nutrients
nutrition noun — the process of obtaining nourishment