vitamin B12
noun
1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P that occurs especially in liver, is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth, and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry
Examples of vitamin B12 in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the doctor, stress can definitely be a culprit—but gray hair actually comes down to genetics as well as certain diseases like vitiligo, vitamin B12 deficiency, alopecia areata.
—
Laura Solla, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
Where is Sura Ali now? Praised for her quiet confidence, Sura Ali brought her A-game to every challenge on Rhythm + Flow — despite also battling health issues from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Several blood tests can help identify vitamin B12 deficiency:3
Vitamin B12 level: While this blood test not a common screening tool unless a deficiency is suspected, a serum vitamin B12 level can diagnose a B12 deficiency.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 11 Jan. 2025
These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Tempeh is also highly digestible compared to other soybean products because the fermentation enables nutrients such as vitamin B12 and calcium to become more soluble.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 21 Dec. 2024
The bird’s dark meat is high in vitamin B12, which is only found naturally in animal products.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
One study found that low vitamin B12 levels and high vitamin B9 levels were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 30 Oct. 2024
The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024
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.
Laura Solla, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
Where is Sura Ali now? Praised for her quiet confidence, Sura Ali brought her A-game to every challenge on Rhythm + Flow — despite also battling health issues from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Several blood tests can help identify vitamin B12 deficiency:3
Vitamin B12 level: While this blood test not a common screening tool unless a deficiency is suspected, a serum vitamin B12 level can diagnose a B12 deficiency.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 11 Jan. 2025
These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
Tempeh is also highly digestible compared to other soybean products because the fermentation enables nutrients such as vitamin B12 and calcium to become more soluble.
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 21 Dec. 2024
The bird’s dark meat is high in vitamin B12, which is only found naturally in animal products.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
One study found that low vitamin B12 levels and high vitamin B9 levels were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 30 Oct. 2024
The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near vitamin B12
Cite this Entry
“Vitamin B12.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vitamin%20B12. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
vitamin B12
noun1
: a complex cobalt-containing compound C63H88CoN14O14P found in animal products (as meat and eggs) that is essential to normal blood formation, neural function, and growth and is used especially in treating pernicious and related anemias and in animal feed as a growth factor
called also cyanocobalamin
2
: any of several compounds similar to vitamin B12 in action but having different chemistry
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share