vit‧a‧min /ˈvɪtəmən, ˈvɪtəmɪn, ˈvaɪ- $ ˈvaɪ-/
noun [countable][
Date: 1900-2000;
Language: Latin;
Origin: vita ( ⇒ vital) + English amine (, amino acid); because it was at first believed to contain an amino acid]
1. a chemical substance in food that is necessary for good health:
Try to eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.vitamin A/B/C etc (=a particular type of vitamin) Lack of vitamin E can cause skin diseases and tiredness.2. (
also vitamin pill, vitamin supplement) a
pill containing vitamins:
Perhaps I ought to take vitamins. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲