any substance or matter that, taken into a living organism, serves to sustain it in its existence, promoting growth, replacing loss, and providing energy.
2.
anything that nourishes; nourishment; food.
Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < L nūtrīmentum nourishment, equiv. to nūtrī(re) to nourish, feed + -mentum-ment
Main Entry: nu·tri·ment Pronunciation: 'n(y)ü-tr&-m&nt Function: noun : something that nourishes or promotes growth and repairsthe natural wastage of organic life