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

Clemens insists that the only shots McNamee gave him were Vitamin B12.

From The Daily Beast

Iron deficiency can cause anemia, as can vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.

From Project Gutenberg