any substance (such as a chemical element or inorganic compound) that can be taken in by a green plant and used in organic synthesis
"The soil tested positive for nitrogen, an essential nutrient that the nearby crops absorbed to synthesize their own proteins."
A source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue.
"The soil was rich in nutrients that allowed the plants to grow tall and strong."
In plain English: A nutrient is any substance your body needs to grow, stay healthy, and get energy from food.
"The plant needs sunlight and nutrients to grow strong leaves."
Usage: Nutrients are the specific substances within food or soil that organisms need for growth and energy, distinct from general terms like "food" which refers to the whole meal. Use this word when discussing individual components such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, or carbohydrates rather than describing a complete dish.
of or providing nourishment
"good nourishing stew"
Providing nourishment.
"The rich soil acts as a nutrient source, providing essential nourishment to help the crops grow strong."
The word nutrient comes from the Latin verb nūtriō, which means "to suckle" or "to nourish." It entered English as a borrowing that carried forward its original sense of fostering growth.