calciferolEnglishOxford New American Dictionarycalciferol /kalˈsifəˌrôl, , kælˈsɪfəˌrɔl , kalˈsifəˌrōl, kælˈsɪfəˌroʊl / ▸ noun Biochemistry one of the D vitamins, a sterol which is formed when its isomer ergosterol is exposed to ultraviolet light, and which is routinely added to dairy products. Also called ergocalciferol, vitamin D2 (see vitamin D). – ORIGIN 1930s : from calciferous + -ol.