vitamin D

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

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

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitamin D¹

First recorded in 1920–25