vitamin D
noun
any of the several fat-soluble, antirachitic vitamins D1, D2, D3, 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.
Origin of vitamin D
First recorded in 1920–25
Definition for vitamin d (2 of 4)
vitamin D1
noun
a mixture of lumisterol and calciferol, obtained by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol.
Definition for vitamin d (3 of 4)
vitamin D3
noun
a D vitamin, C27H43OH, occurring in fish-liver oils, that differs from vitamin D2 by slight structural differences in the molecule.
Also called
cholecalciferol.
Definition for vitamin d (4 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for vitamin d (1 of 4)
vitamin D
noun plural D vitamins
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
British Dictionary definitions for vitamin d (2 of 4)
vitamin D1
noun
the first isolated form of vitamin D, consisting of calciferol and its precursor, lumisterol
British Dictionary definitions for vitamin d (3 of 4)
British Dictionary definitions for vitamin d (4 of 4)
Medical definitions for vitamin d (1 of 3)
vitamin D
n.
A fat-soluble vitamin occurring in several forms, especially vitamin D2 or vitamin D3, required for normal growth of teeth and bones, and produced in general by ultraviolet irradiation of sterols found in milk, fish, and eggs.
Medical definitions for vitamin d (2 of 3)
vitamin D2
n.
A white crystalline compound produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol.
calciferol ergocalciferol
Medical definitions for vitamin d (3 of 3)
vitamin D3
n.
A colorless crystalline compound found in fish-liver oils, irradiated milk, and all irradiated animal foodstuffs and having biological activity similar to vitamin D2.
cholecalciferol
Scientific definitions for vitamin d (1 of 3)
vitamin D
Any of a group of fat-soluble sterols necessary for normal bone growth, especially vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (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.
Scientific definitions for vitamin d (2 of 3)
vitamin D2
A white crystalline sterol produced by ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol and also occurring naturally in fungi and some fish oils. Vitamin D2 is the form of vitamin D generally used as a dietary supplement. Also called calciferol, ergocalciferol. Chemical formula: C28H44O.
Scientific definitions for vitamin d (3 of 3)
vitamin D3
A colorless, crystalline steroid hormone that the body synthesizes in the skin when its precursor, a derivative of cholesterol, is irradiated by sunlight. Vitamin D3 is also found in fish-liver oils, irradiated milk, and all irradiated animal foodstuffs. Also called calciferol, cholecalciferol. Chemical formula: C27H44O.