strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn(t)-sh(ē-)əm 

ˈsträn-tē-əm

: a soft malleable ductile metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination and used especially in color TV tubes, in crimson fireworks, and in the production of some ferrites see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of strontium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This was when the universe was mostly made of helium and hydrogen and did not have large amounts of other chemical elements like barium and strontium. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 May 2024

This is largely due to the mineral composition of spring water, which contains varying amounts of sulfur, manganese, magnesium, zinc, selenium, strontium, silica, and calcium bicarbonate. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from strontia strontium oxide, from obsolete English strontian, from Strontian, village in Scotland

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm 

ˈstränt-ē-əm

: a soft metallic element that can be hammered and shaped, occurs only in combination, and is used in color TV picture tubes and red fireworks see element

Medical Definition

strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm  ˈstränt-ē-əm 

: a soft malleable ductile bivalent metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination

—symbol Sr see Chemical Elements Table