3 syllables: nu, tri, tion. Stress on tri.
/nuˈtɹɪʃən/
Say it backNutrition refers to the process by which living organisms obtain and utilize food substances essential for growth, health, and energy. It encompasses intake, digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. In practice, nutrition science informs dietary choices, health recommendations, and interventions to prevent disease and promote well-being.
"A balanced nutrition plan supports sustained energy and overall health."
"Public health campaigns emphasize nutrition education to combat diet-related diseases."
"Athletes often adjust their nutrition to optimize performance and recovery."
You say nu-TRI-tion, with primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌnuːˈtrɪʃən/ in US, UK, and AU. Start with a long
Common errors include misplacing stress (trying to stress the first syllable as NUT-ri-tion), pronouncing the second syllable as a full 'trend' sound, or flattening the vowel in /ˈnutrɪʃən/ to /ˈnutriːʃən/. Correct by aiming for /ˌnuːˈtrɪʃən/ with a clear schwa or short i in the second syllable and a soft, reduced first vowel. Practice with minimum pairs to lock the rhythm.
In all three, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel qualities differ: US /ˌnuːˈtrɪʃən/ uses a longer /uː/ in the first syllable; UK /ˌnjuːˈtrɪʃən/ similarly uses /uː/ but with rhoticity less pronounced in some regional accents; AU /ˌnjuːˈtrɪʃən/ tends to be non-rhotic in many varieties but the vowel remains a long /uː/. Overall, rhotic variation is less impactful than vowel length and schwa quality in the final syllable.
Two main challenges are the /ˈtrɪ/ cluster and the final unstressed -tion. The /tr/ combination requires a quick tongue tip contact with the alveolar ridge, while the /ɪ/ in the second syllable is shorter than a full vowel, followed by a light schwa in the /-ʃən/ ending. Many non-native speakers also misplace stress, pronouncing the phrase as nu-TRI-tion or nu-tri-TION instead of nu-TRI-tion.
The word places primary stress on the second syllable, with a clear /ˈtrɪ/ sequence and a light, unstressed final /-ən/ or /-ən/ sound. Pay attention to the /t/ that follows /r/ quickly; it’s not a strong aspirated T but a softer, barely audible release as the tongue shifts toward the /ʃ/ sound of -tion. This subtle coda helps avoid vowel you may lengthen unnecessarily.
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Nutrition comes from the Latin nutrire, meaning to feed or nourish, and nutriment, the noun form referring to nourishment. The modern term emerged in the 18th–19th centuries as scientific inquiry into how organisms derive energy and growth from food expanded. The root nutr- appears in nourish and nourish-related words, tracing to Latin nutrire and nutrimentum, with first known uses in late Middle English and early modern Europe as physicians and natural philosophers formalized the study of nourishment. Over time, nutrition evolved from a general concern with diet to a distinct biomedical discipline addressing metabolism, micronutrients, and health outcomes.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "nutrition" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "nutrition" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "nutrition"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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