vitamin B12

noun

1. a deep-red crystalline, water-soluble solid, C 63 H 88 N 14 O 14 PCo, obtained from liver, milk, eggs, fish, oysters, and clams: a deficiency causes pernicious anemia and disorders of the nervous system.

vitamin B12

noun

1. another name for cyanocobalamin

vitamin B12

1. A water-soluble, complex organic compound containing cobalt, found especially in meat, liver, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B 12 is necessary for the synthesis of DNA by the body, for the production of blood cells, and for maintaining the health of nerves. A deficiency of vitamin B 12 in the diet results in pernicious anemia .
2. Also called cobalamin cyanocobalamin

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitamin B12¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Famine and food shortages in Gaza mean pregnant women are not getting enough folate, iron, vitamin B12 and iodine.

From Salon

Dr Mellor warned people considering cutting down on meat to ensure they still got enough vital nutrients, such as iron and vitamin B12.

From BBC

It’s high in calcium and vitamin B12.

From Seattle Times

The researchers conducted various experiments to analyse the interaction between two species of marine bacteria from the North Sea in the synthesis of vitamin B12, and have now published their findings in the scientific journal Nature.

From Science Daily

While certain bacterial strains are known as vitamin B12 producers, this research project focused on two strains of the Roseovarius and Colwellia genera that each produce just one of the two building blocks of vitamin B12, meaning that they can only synthesise the substance in cooperation with each other.

From Science Daily