sodium

[ soh-dee-uhm ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a soft, silver-white, metallic element that oxidizes rapidly in moist air, occurring in nature only in the combined state, and used in the synthesis of sodium peroxide, sodium cyanide, and tetraethyllead: a necessary element in the body for the maintenance of normal fluid balance and other physiological functions. : Na; : 22.9898; : 11; : 0.97 at 20°C.
2. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology. any salt of sodium, as sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, present in or added to foods or beverages as a seasoning or preservative and used in many pharmaceutical products as an antacid, anticoagulant, or other agent.

sodium

/ ˈsəʊdɪəm /

noun

1. 1. a very reactive soft silvery-white element of the alkali metal group occurring principally in common salt, Chile saltpetre, and cryolite. Sodium and potassium ions maintain the essential electrolytic balance in living cells. It is used in the production of chemicals, in metallurgy, and, alloyed with potassium, as a cooling medium in nuclear reactors. Symbol: Na; atomic no: 11; atomic wt: 22.989768; valency: 1; relative density: 0.971; melting pt: 97.81±0.03°C; boiling pt: 892.9°C
   2. ( as modifier )

      sodium light

sodium

/ sō′dē-əm /

1. A soft, lightweight, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali group that reacts explosively with water. It is the most abundant alkali metal on Earth, occurring especially in common salt. Sodium is very malleable, and its compounds have many important uses in industry. Atomic number 11; atomic weight 22.99; melting point 97.8°C; boiling point 892°C; specific gravity 0.971; valence 1.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1800–10; soda, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium¹

C19: New Latin, from soda + -ium

Example Sentences

Her team decided to try low-dose sodium oxybate, after some patients told them their symptoms improved after a few alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

The World Health Organization came up with its own nonbinding set of standards for baby food, which included limits on fat, sugar and sodium.

From Los Angeles Times

It would also require the label to highlight any potentially unhealthy ingredients in the product, such as the amount of sugar, sodium and saturated fat it contains.

From Salon

The catalysts required for the reaction — sodium or tungsten — are readily available and inexpensive, they say, and early tests show the process is likely scalable at industrial levels.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Consumer Reports alleges the Lunchable kits served in school have even higher levels of sodium than the kits available for purchase in stores nationwide.

From Salon