Nourishment is food and other substances that give your body what it needs to grow, stay healthy, and have energy. When you eat a balanced meal with vegetables, protein, and grains, you're giving your body nourishment. A glass of milk provides nourishment. Even a simple peanut butter sandwich offers nourishment that keeps you going through the afternoon.

Nourishment means consuming foods that provide vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body uses to function well. A bag of candy might satisfy your hunger temporarily, but it doesn't provide the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that count as real nourishment.

The word can also describe emotional or mental support. A teacher who encourages your curiosity provides nourishment for your mind. Time spent with caring family members offers emotional nourishment. Just as plants need water and sunlight to flourish, people need both physical nourishment from food and emotional nourishment from relationships and meaningful activities.

The related verb is nourish: parents nourish their children, both by feeding them and supporting their growth in every way.