vitamin C

noun

: a water-soluble vitamin C6H8O6 found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid

Examples of vitamin C in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This box comes with 30 packets of vitamin C at 1,000 milligrams. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 With cold and flu season approaching, there’s lots of chatter about whether vitamin C or vitamin D is better for fighting off infections. — Jamie Ducharme, HEALTH, 19 Aug. 2026 Oranges Oranges are filled with antioxidants such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and carotenoids, according to Novotny. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026 Even before then, the L’Oréal, SkinCeuticals parent company, sued Drunk Elephant over patent infringement for a vitamin C product that was almost identical to the Ferulic formula. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vitamin C

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vitamin C was circa 1920

Rhymes for vitamin C

See All Rhymes for vitamin C

Browse Nearby Words

vitamin B{inf}6{/inf}
vitamin C
vitamin D
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vitamin C.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin%20C. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vitamin C

noun
: a vitamin that is present especially in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables and is needed by the body to prevent scurvy

called also ascorbic acid

Medical Definition

vitamin C

noun
: a water-soluble vitamin C6H8O6 found in plants and especially in fruits and leafy vegetables or made synthetically and used in the prevention and treatment of scurvy and as an antioxidant for foods

called also ascorbic acid

More from Merriam-Webster on vitamin C

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vitamin C

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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