calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

often attributive

: a metallic chemical element of the alkaline-earth group that occurs naturally only in combination and is essential to cellular functions in all known organisms see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of calcium in a Sentence

Her doctor said she should eat more foods that are high in calcium, such as milk and cheese.

Recent Examples on the Web

All Roads Lead to Rome Though Romans famously channeled water through lead pipes, that water might not have been their main problem: Mountain streams were rich in calcium, which coated the pipes in a layer that may have prevented lead from entering the water. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025

Early signs of low calcium include muscle spasms and cramping. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025

Phytates bind to iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, reducing their absorption. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 11 Feb. 2025

Electrolytes are charged minerals (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus) that our bodies rely on to support a few essential functions. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin calc-, calx lime

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calcium

• calcium carbide
• calcium carbonate
• calcium channel blocker
• calcium chloride
• calcium citrate
• calcium cyanamide
• calcium gluconate
• calcium hydroxide
• calcium hypochlorite
• calcium oxalate
• calcium oxide
• calcium phosphate
• calcium silicate
• calcium sulfate

Kids Definition

calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

: a silver-white soft metallic element that is found only in combination with other elements (as in limestone) and is one of the necessary elements making up the bodies of most plants and animals see element

Etymology

derived from Latin calc-, calx "lime" — related to calculate, chalk

Medical Definition

calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

often attributive

: a silver-white bivalent metallic element that is an alkaline earth metal, occurs only in combination, and is an essential constituent of most plants and animals

—symbol Ca see Chemical Elements Table