Vitamins are substances that you need in order to remain healthy, which are found in food or can be eaten in the form of pills.
Butter, margarine, and oily fish are all good sources of vitamin D.
Healthy people do not need vitamin supplements.
vitamin in British English
(ˈvɪtəmɪn, ˈvaɪ-)
noun
any of a group of substances that are essential, in small quantities, for the normal functioning of metabolism in the body. They cannot usually be synthesized in the body but they occur naturally in certain foods: insufficient supply of any particular vitamin results in a deficiency disease
Derived forms
vitaminic (ˌvitaˈminic)
adjective
Word origin
C20: vit- from Latin vīta life + -amin from amine; so named by Casimir Funk, who believed the substances to be amines
vitamin in American English
(ˈvaɪtəmɪn; British ˈvɪtəmɪn)
noun
1.
any of a number of unrelated, complex organic substances found variously in most foods, or sometimes synthesized in the body, and essential, in small amounts, for the regulation of the metabolism and normal growth and functioning of the body
2.
a dose of such a substance or of a group of such substances, taken, as in a tablet, as a dietary supplement
Derived forms
vitaminic (ˌvitaˈminic)
adjective
Word origin
earlier vitamine < Ger: so named (1913) by C. Funk (1884-1967), Pol biochemist < L vita, life (see vital) + Ger amin, amine: from the orig. mistaken idea that these substances all contain amino acids
COBUILD Collocations
vitamin
essential vitamin
vital vitamin
Examples of 'vitamin' in a sentence
vitamin
It has fantastic digestive properties and has a high vitamin and mineral content.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For a general complexion boost, pure plant oils are packed with vitamins and minerals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sufferers had been advised to change diet, increase exercise and take vitamins or painkillers.
The Sun (2016)
We get very little vitamin D from food.
The Sun (2016)
She puts her youthful, slender figure down to regular detox dieting, vitamin supplements and spending more time on her beauty regime.
The Sun (2016)
ALMOST one in two of us now take a daily vitamin pill with sales to men up almost a third in a year, figures show.
The Sun (2016)
You want to be healthy and eat lots of salad and vegetables, but you don't get the vitamins if you have to bin them.
The Sun (2017)
Your blood tests confirmed a lack of minerals and vitamins that can be corrected with the iron supplements you were given, and vitamin B12 injections if necessary.
The Sun (2016)
It also robs your body of essential vitamins and minerals which help fight off winter bugs.
The Sun (2011)
The longer the food is boiled the more vitamins and minerals are lost.
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
Topping it with fruit means that you get vitamins as well.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Certain vitamins may be crucial in keeping the brain healthy.
The Sun (2008)
Like most vitamins and minerals calcium needs to be combined with other nutrients to be effective.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
You can buy special car seats for dogs and spend a fortune on canine vitamins and supplements.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And she also takes vitamin supplements and iron.
The Sun (2010)
It is not rich in any particular vitamins or minerals.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Some drugs affect appetite and also increase the need for vitamins and minerals.
Stewart, Dr Alan & Stewart, Maryon The Vitality Diet (1990)
This also speeds up elimination of essential minerals and vitamins.
The Sun (2013)
That might lead one to think that women may suffer more mineral and vitamin deficiencies than men.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
These ensure you will get some vitamins and antioxidants you need to recover.
The Sun (2009)
Certain vitamins and minerals are known as antioxidants.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
There is generally no danger of using herbs alongside nutrient supplements such as vitamins and minerals.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
Your score will give some idea as to the likelihood of having a deficiency of vitamins or minerals.
Stewart, Dr Alan & Stewart, Maryon The Vitality Diet (1990)
When in short supply the body directs the vitamins away from the scalp to more vital areas of the body.
The Sun (2014)
In this small group taking regular vitamin C halved the chances of catching a cold.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They must eat foods high in B vitamins and calcium.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
In addition, foods containing the full range of vitamin B group will help.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
In other languages
vitamin
British English: vitamin /ˈvɪtəmɪn/ NOUN
Vitamins are substances in food which you need in order to remain healthy.
...vitamin D.
American English: vitamin
Arabic: فِيتَامِيـن
Brazilian Portuguese: vitamina
Chinese: 维生素
Croatian: vitamin
Czech: vitamín
Danish: vitamin
Dutch: vitamine
European Spanish: vitamina
Finnish: vitamiini
French: vitamine
German: Vitamin
Greek: βιταμίνη
Italian: vitamina
Japanese: ビタミン
Korean: 비타민
Norwegian: vitamin
Polish: witamina
European Portuguese: vitamina
Romanian: vitamină
Russian: витамин
Latin American Spanish: vitamina
Swedish: vitamin
Thai: วิตามิน
Turkish: vitamin
Ukrainian: вітамін
Vietnamese: vitamin
All related terms of 'vitamin'
vitamin A
a fat-soluble yellow unsaturated alcohol occurring in green and yellow vegetables (esp carrots ), butter , egg yolk , and fish-liver oil (esp halibut oil). It is essential for the prevention of night blindness and the protection of epithelial tissue . Formula: C 20 H 30 O
vitamin B
any of the vitamins in the vitamin B complex
vitamin C
→ ascorbic acid
vitamin D
any of the fat-soluble vitamins , including calciferol and cholecalciferol , occurring in fish-liver oils (esp cod-liver oil), milk , butter , and eggs : used in the treatment of rickets and osteomalacia
vitamin E
the tocopherols collectively, which are fat-soluble compounds that inhibit rancidity and oxidative destruction of tissue components, and are necessary for fertility in rats and certain other animals: a deficiency of vitamin E in the diet of various animals, as the rabbit or sheep, results in muscular dystrophy , sterility, etc.
vitamin G
a yellow water-soluble vitamin of the B complex that occurs in green vegetables , germinating seeds, and in milk , fish, egg yolk , liver , and kidney . It is essential for the carbohydrate metabolism of cells. It is used as a permitted food colour, yellow or orange-yellow ( E101 ). Formula: C 17 H 20 N 4 O 6
vitamin H
→ biotin
vitamin K
any of the fat-soluble vitamins , including phylloquinone and the menaquinones, which are essential for the normal clotting of blood
vitamin P
any of a group of water-soluble crystalline substances occurring mainly in citrus fruits, blackcurrants , and rosehips : they regulate the permeability of the blood capillaries
vitamin A1
a fat-soluble yellow unsaturated alcohol occurring in green and yellow vegetables (esp carrots ), butter , egg yolk , and fish-liver oil (esp halibut oil). It is essential for the prevention of night blindness and the protection of epithelial tissue. Formula: C 20 H 30 O
vitamin A2
a vitamin that occurs in the tissues of freshwater fish and has a function similar to that of vitamin A. Formula : C 20 H 28 O
vitamin B1
a soluble white crystalline vitamin that occurs in the outer coat of rice and other grains . It forms part of the vitamin B complex and is essential for carbohydrate metabolism : deficiency leads to nervous disorders and to the disease beriberi . Formula: C 12 H 17 ON 4 SCl.H 2 O
vitamin B12
a complex red crystalline compound, containing cyanide and cobalt and occurring in liver : lack of it in the tissues leads to pernicious anaemia . Formula: C 63 H 88 O 14 N 14 PCo
vitamin B2
a yellow water-soluble vitamin of the B complex that occurs in green vegetables , germinating seeds, and in milk , fish, egg yolk , liver , and kidney . It is essential for the carbohydrate metabolism of cells. It is used as a permitted food colour, yellow or orange-yellow ( E101 ). Formula: C 17 H 20 N 4 O 6
vitamin B6
a derivative of pyridine that is a precursor of the compounds pyridoxal and pyridoxamine
vitamin D1
the first isolated form of vitamin D, consisting of calciferol and its precursor , lumisterol
vitamin D2
a fat-soluble steroid , found esp in fish-liver oils, produced by the action of ultraviolet radiation on ergosterol . It increases the absorption of calcium from the intestine and is used in the treatment of rickets . Formula: C 28 H 43 OH
vitamin D3
a compound occurring naturally in fish-liver oils , used to treat rickets . Formula: C 27 H 44 O
vitamin K1
a viscous fat-soluble liquid occurring in plants: essential for the production of prothrombin , required in blood clotting . Formula: C 31 H 46 O 2
vitamin K2
a form of vitamin K synthesized by bacteria in the intestine or in putrefying organic matter
vitamin K3
a yellow crystalline compound used in fungicides and as an additive to animal feeds . Formula: C 11 H 8 O 2
vital vitamin
Vitamins are substances that you need in order to remain healthy , which are found in food or can be eaten in the form of pills .
vitamin pill
a tablet containing a vitamin or vitamins
vitamin-rich
(of a food or diet ) containing a lot of vitamins or a lot of a particular vitamin
vitamin tablet
a tablet containing a vitamin or vitamins
essential vitamin
Vitamins are substances that you need in order to remain healthy , which are found in food or can be eaten in the form of pills .
vitamin deficiency
a lack of a vitamin or vitamins needed for good health
vitamin-enriched
having had vitamins added
vitamin B complex
a large group of water-soluble vitamins occurring esp in liver and yeast : includes thiamine , riboflavin , nicotinic acid, pyridoxine , pantothenic acid, biotin , choline , folic acid, and cyanocobalamin
vitamin B (complex)
a group of unrelated water-soluble vitamins found in liver , yeast , etc., including: a ) vitamin B 1 ( see → thiamine ) b ) vitamin B2 (see → riboflavin ) c ) vitamin B6 (see → pyridoxine ) d ) → nicotinic acid e ) → pantothenic acid f ) → biotin g ) → inositol h ) → para-aminobenzoic acid i ) → choline j ) → folic acid k ) vitamin B12 a complex vitamin, C 63 H 90 N 14 O 14 PCo, containing trivalent cobalt , essential for the normal maturation of erythrocytes , and for normal growth and neurological function, and used esp. in treating pernicious anemia and as an animal feed supplement
multivitamin
containing several vitamins
vitamin deficiency disease
an illness caused by a lack of a particular vitamin or vitamins
ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C.
tocopherol
any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols that occur in wheat-germ oil, watercress , lettuce , egg yolk , etc. They are thought to be necessary for healthy human reproduction