Let $A$ be a finite-dimensional division algebra containing a base field $k$ in its center $F$. $A$ is defined over a subfield $F_0$ if there exists an $F_0$-algebra $A_0$ such that $A = A_0 \bigotimes_{F_0} F$. The following are shown. (i) In many cases $A$ can be defined over a rational extension of $k$. (ii) If $A$ has odd degree $n \geq 5$, then $A$ is defined over a field $F_0$ of transcendence degree $\leq {\frac{1}{2}}(n-1)(n-2)$ over $k$. (iii) If $A$ is a $\mathbb{Z}/m \times \mathbb{Z}/2$-crossed product for some $m \geq 2$ (and in particular, if $A$ is any algebra of degree 4) then $A$ is Brauer equivalent to a tensor product of two symbol algebras. Consequently, ${\rm M}_m(A)$ can be defined over a field $F_0$ such that ${\rm trdeg}_k(F_0) \leq 4$. (iv) If $A$ has degree 4 then the trace form of $A$ can be defined over a field $F_0$ of transcendence degree $\leq 4$. (In (i), (iii) and (iv) it is assumed that the center of $A$ contains certain roots of unity.)