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

Vitamin supplements have become trendy recommendations for wellness influencers to offer their followers, especially given the statistics about vitamin D deficiency across the U.S.. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024

Vitamin B12 is part of the larger group of B vitamins, which along with vitamin D, vitamin A, and vitamin C, are considered essential for the body to properly function. —Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2024

Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, various plant compounds, vitamin D, collagen, and more are available as single-ingredient supplements. —Kelsey Kunik, Rd, Health, 10 Aug. 2024

The need for more vitamin D impacts many more Americans, according to studies based on data from 2001–2018, about 22% of Americans had a moderate vitamin D deficiency. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1921, in the meaning defined above

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