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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of vitamin D

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vitamin D

Importantly, the doctors and other clinical staff caring for the patients did not know their vitamin D status, reducing the chance that this information could influence pain treatment.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

The findings point to a potentially important connection between vitamin D and surgical pain, but the researchers emphasized several limitations.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

Participants who reported taking at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D each day performed better on measures of cognitive function than those who did not take vitamin D.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

In contrast to the results seen with the higher intake group, lower daily doses of vitamin D were not associated with improved cognitive scores.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 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