'Nutrient' definitions:

Definition of 'nutrient'

adjective

Of or providing nourishment; "good nourishing stew" [syn: alimentary, alimental, nourishing, nutrient, nutritious, nutritive]

noun

Any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue [syn: food, nutrient]

noun

Any substance (such as a chemical element or inorganic compound) that can be taken in by a green plant and used in organic synthesis

From: GCIDE

Nutrient \Nu"tri*ent\, a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.] Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Nutrient \Nu"tri*ent\, n. n.
1. Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which nourishes or promotes growth; a nutriment. [1913 Webster]
2. Specifically: (Microbiology) A substance added to the growth medium of a microorganism to promote growth. [PJC]