sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsō-dē-əm 

1

: a silver-white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group with atomic number 11 that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically see Chemical Elements Table

2

: salt sense 1a, sodium chloride

—not used technically

reduced her sodium intake

a low-sodium diet

Examples of sodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Any potential benefits must be weighed up against the potential harms of carbonated drinks, which may contain sodium, glucose, or other additives. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

The formula employs sodium hexametaphosphate to tackle tartar and stains and remineralizing fluoride to stave off cavities and boost brightness. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 16 Jan. 2025

Shocking your taste buds with an electric salt spoon Kirin Holdings has unveiled an innovative electric salt spoon that uses a mild electrical current to enhance food flavor without adding sodium. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025

And some ingredients that are unrecognizable to many people may actually be vitamins, Dr. Nestle said, like sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E). —New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English soda

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sodium

• sodium azide
• sodium benzoate
• sodium bicarbonate
• sodium borohydride
• sodium carbonate
• sodium chlorate
• sodium chloride
• sodium citrate
• sodium cyanide
• sodium fluoride
• sodium fluoroacetate
• sodium hydroxide
• sodium hypochlorite
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• sodium metasilicate
• sodium nitrate
• sodium nitrite
• sodium pump
• sodium salicylate
• sodium sulfate
• sodium thiosulfate
• sodium tripolyphosphate
• sodium-vapor lamp

Kids Definition

sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm 

: a soft waxy silver-white metallic element that is chemically very active and is common in nature in combined form see element

Medical Definition

sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm 

: a silver white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically

—symbol Na see Chemical Elements Table