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

Researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center report that magnesium plays a key role in regulating vitamin D levels in the body.

From Science Daily

And it’s not like the walk cures depression, but it does help to get some vitamin D or just be like, “Oh yeah, I have these muscles, I should probably sometimes use them.”

From Los Angeles Times

But, she explains that not everyone will see a benefit if they take it and it's only people "with low vitamin D and pre-existing respiratory diseases" who will likely benefit.

From BBC

According to researchers, the results carry global importance, as between one-half and two-thirds of people worldwide have low levels of vitamin D.

From Science Daily

Results showed that those taking vitamin D maintained their telomeres by 140 base pairs compared with the placebo group.

From Science Daily