Any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce. Wikipedia

Substance that an organism uses to live Wikidata

A substance that can be ingested and utilized by the organism as a source of nutrition and energy. OmegaWiki

Chemical elements which are involved in the construction of living tissue and which are needed by both plant and animal. The most important in terms of bulk are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, with other essential ones including nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur and phosphorus. OmegaWiki

A source of nourishment, such as food, that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and build tissue. Wiktionary

Substance that provides nourishment. Wiktionary (translation)