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Definition of overnourishment

overnourishment

/ˌoʊvɚˈnɜːrɪʃmənt/
o · ver · nour · ish · ment

Adjective:overnourished
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overnourishment Lexical Profile

overnourishment Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The condition of receiving an excessive amount of nutrients or calories, often leading to obesity or related metabolic disorders in humans and animals.

Example

"Public health initiatives are increasingly focusing on the risks of overnourishment in developed nations, where highly processed foods are abundant."


2

The state of an ecosystem, such as a body of water or soil, containing an excessive concentration of nutrients, which can cause severe ecological imbalances.

Example

"Agricultural runoff causes the overnourishment of nearby lakes, sparking massive algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels and threaten aquatic life."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably with obesity in medical contexts, 'overnourishment' specifically refers to the intake of excess nutrients rather than the resulting physiological weight gain. It is also applied ecologically to describe nutrient pollution (eutrophication) in water systems.

• Rhymes for overnourishment

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English by combining the prefix 'over-' with the noun 'nourishment' (derived from Old French 'nourrissement', ultimately from Latin 'nutrire', meaning to feed).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Overnourishment. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/overnourishment
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