vitamin D

noun

: any or all of several fat-soluble vitamins chemically related to steroids, essential for normal bone and tooth structure, and found especially in fish-liver oils, egg yolk, and milk or produced by activation (as by ultraviolet irradiation) of sterols: such as

a

or vitamin D₂

-ˈdē-ˈtü 

: calciferol

b

or vitamin D₃

-ˈdē-ˈthrē 

: cholecalciferol

Examples of vitamin D in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eggs contain impressive amounts of choline, folate, vitamin D, iodine, and B vitamins. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 13 Mar. 2025

Herbal and supplement support: Certain compounds such as curcumin, vitamin D, and medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune-modulating properties, but should be used with physician guidance . —Jesse Pines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Sardines These small fish, especially when eaten whole, are a powerhouse of nutrients: Sardines contain vitamin D, selenium, and vitamin B12. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025

Editors’ Picks Research suggesting that vitamin D supplements treat viral infections like the common cold or reduce the risk of them is inconsistent. —Katie Mogg, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vitamin D

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee

Kids Definition

vitamin D

noun

: any of several vitamins that are needed for normal bone and tooth structure, and are found especially in fish-liver oils, egg yolk, and milk or are produced in response to ultraviolet light

Medical Definition

vitamin D

noun

: any or all of several fat-soluble vitamins chemically related to steroids, essential for normal bone and tooth structure, and found especially in fish-liver oils, egg yolk, and milk or produced by activation (as by ultraviolet irradiation) of sterols: as

a

: calciferol

b

: cholecalciferol

called also sunshine vitamin