vitamin D

American  

noun

1. any of the several fat-soluble, antirachitic vitamins D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , occurring in milk and fish-liver oils, especially cod and halibut, or obtained by irradiating provitamin D with ultraviolet light, essential for the formation of normal bones and teeth.

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vitamin D British  

noun

1. any of the fat-soluble vitamins, including calciferol and cholecalciferol, occurring in fish-liver oils (esp cod-liver oil), milk, butter, and eggs: used in the treatment of rickets and osteomalacia

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vitamin D Scientific  

1. Any of a group of fat-soluble sterols necessary for normal bone growth, especially vitamin D ₂ (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D ₃ (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D is found in milk, fish, and eggs and can be produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight. A deficiency of vitamin D in the diet causes rickets in children.

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Etymology

Origin of vitamin D

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vitamin D

These factors include age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, existing medical conditions, previous muscle problems, vitamin D deficiency, medication use, and whether a person has been prescribed statins.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 30, 2026

The findings challenge the widely held belief that spending time in the summer sun is enough to restore healthy vitamin D levels.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026

Their results suggest that a significant number of people could have low vitamin D year-round without realizing it, potentially affecting bone health, overall well-being, and long-term health outcomes.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026

Without realising it, I had accumulated several pouches of creatine, vitamin D, magnesium, collagen, an all-in-one green supplement, and some tablets designed to help with the ups and downs of perimenopause.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

“A, B, C, vitamin D, vitamin D, vitamin D . . .” The Super-Vox-Wurlitzeriana had risen to a sobbing crescendo; and suddenly the verbena gave place, in the scent- circulating system, to an intense patchouli.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley