international unit
noun
: a quantity of a biologically active substance (such as a vitamin) that produces a particular biological effect agreed upon as an international standard
Examples of international unit in a Sentence
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 1-3 get 500 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D per day, ages 4-8 get 800 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D per day, and kids ages 9-17 get 1,300 mg of calcium and 600 IU vitamin D per day.
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
However, taking calcium with high doses of vitamin D (long-term intake of doses larger than 4,000 international units (IUs) per day) can raise your risk for dangerously high calcium levels in your blood.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
In research studies, the dose of vitamin D has ranged from 800 to 4,000 IU (international units) per day.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 14 Nov. 2025
How much vitamin D your body needs depends on factors like age and pregnancy status, though most healthy adults require at least 600 international units (IU) daily.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for international unit
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
However, taking calcium with high doses of vitamin D (long-term intake of doses larger than 4,000 international units (IUs) per day) can raise your risk for dangerously high calcium levels in your blood.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 5 Feb. 2026
In research studies, the dose of vitamin D has ranged from 800 to 4,000 IU (international units) per day.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 14 Nov. 2025
How much vitamin D your body needs depends on factors like age and pregnancy status, though most healthy adults require at least 600 international units (IU) daily.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for international unit
Cite this Entry
“International unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/international%20unit. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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