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barium sulfate
noun
: a crystalline insoluble compound BaSO4 that is used especially as a pigment and extender, as a filler (as in fluids used in gas and oil drilling), and as a substance opaque to X-rays in medical photography of the digestive tract
Examples of barium sulfate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This procedure uses X-rays to examine your rectum, large intestine, and the lower part of the small intestine after administration of a barium enema (a liquid containing barium sulfate that, when in the body, highlights parts of the GI tract) into your rectum.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024
To make the eels more visible to X-rays, the scientists injected them with a harmless high-contrast medium of barium sulfate.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024
Most critically, the all-important barium sulfate needs to be mined in ways that can be environmentally damaging.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 14 July 2023
The paint has a very high concentration of barium sulfate, a highly reflective material that is key to the paints cooling capabilities.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 14 July 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near barium sulfate
Cite this Entry
“Barium sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barium%20sulfate. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
barium sulfate
noun
: a colorless crystalline compound that is a sulfate of barium used especially in taking X-ray photographs of the digestive tract
Medical Definition
barium sulfate
noun
: a colorless crystalline insoluble salt BaSO4 occurring in nature as barite and used medically chiefly as a radiopaque substance
More from Merriam-Webster on barium sulfate
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barium sulfate
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