cholecalciferol

noun

cho·​le·​cal·​cif·​er·​ol ˌkō-lə-(ˌ)kal-ˈsi-fə-ˌrȯl 

-ˌrōl

: a sterol C₂₇H₄₃OH that is a natural form of vitamin D found especially in fish, egg yolks, and fish-liver oils and is formed in the skin on exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays

called also vitamin D₃

Examples of cholecalciferol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The more potent and longer-lasting form, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is produced naturally when the body is exposed to sunlight and is also found in animal products, while vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plant or fungal sources, per the National Institutes of Health. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025

The form of vitamin D found in these sources is known as cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3, the same form that the human body can produce when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, is synthesized from plant or fungus sources. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024

Each tablet contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol. —Anne Cook Carroll, Ms, Parents, 3 Aug. 2023

There are two primary kinds of vitamin D—vitamin D2 (or ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (or cholecalciferol). —Karen Asp, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cholecalciferol

• mercaptoethanol
• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball

Medical Definition

cholecalciferol

noun

cho·​le·​cal·​cif·​er·​ol ˌkō-lə-(ˌ)kal-ˈsif-ə-ˌrȯl, -ˌrōl 

: a sterol C₂₇H₄₃OH that is a natural form of vitamin D found especially in fish, egg yolks, and fish-liver oils and is formed in the skin on exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays

called also vitamin D, vitamin D₃