cod-liver oil

noun

cod-liv·​er oil ˈkäd-ˈli-vər- How to pronounce cod-liver oil (audio)
: an oil obtained from the liver of the cod and closely related fishes and used as a source of vitamins A and D

Examples of cod-liver oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some affected families chose unproven remedies like vitamins and cod-liver oil instead of measles shots. Aria Bendix, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025 We’ve been told that cooking with seed oils is toxic but that treating measles with cod-liver oil is great; and that both deworming pills and microbe-laden raw milk are good for you. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025 And don’t turn your nose up at a spoonful of good old-fashioned cod-liver oil, either. Kathleen Squires, WSJ, 28 Jan. 2022 The scientists gave patients scheduled for knee-replacement surgery either 1,000 milligrams of cod-liver oil or placebo. Houston Chronicle, 1 July 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cod-liver oil was in 1754

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cod-liver oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cod-liver%20oil. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

cod-liver oil

noun
: an oil obtained from the liver of the cod and closely related fishes and used as a source of vitamins A and D

Medical Definition

cod-liver oil

noun
: a pale yellow fatty oil obtained from the liver of the cod (Gadus morhua) and related fishes and used in medicine (as in the prophylaxis of rickets) chiefly as a source of vitamins A and D compare fish-liver oil

More from Merriam-Webster on cod-liver oil

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster