ammonium

[ uh-moh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the univalent ion, NH 4 + , or group, NH 4 , which plays the part of a metal in the salt formed when ammonia reacts with an acid.

ammonium

/ əˈməʊnɪəm; -njəm /

noun

1. modifier of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group NH 4 – or the ion NH 4 ⁺

   ammonium compounds

ammonium

/ ə-mō′nē-əm /

1. A positively charged ion, NH 4 , derived from ammonia and found in a wide variety of organic and inorganic compounds. Compounds of ammonium chemically resemble the alkali metals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonium¹

< New Latin; ammonia, -ium; coined by J. J. Berzelius in 1808

Example Sentences

Back in the lab, they’re testing whether applying heat and adding ammonium salts and certain weak acids can break down the bonds, freeing up more calcium and magnesium to grab hold of carbon dioxide.

From MIT Technology Review

Nontraditional flavors ammonium nitrate, C-4, and gelignite did not test well.

From The Daily Beast

Ammonium nitrate is extremely common, and pretty dangerous, and also extremely useful.

From The Daily Beast

The sediment usually contains abundant amorphous phosphates and crystals of triple phosphate and ammonium urate.

From Project Gutenberg

For the last six years he has regularly taken the bromides of potassium and ammonium (one drachm and a half) daily.

From Project Gutenberg

For six years past she has taken regularly the bromides of potassium and ammonium, one drachm of each daily.

From Project Gutenberg

With ammonium picrate and sodium picrate, yellowish red color.

From Project Gutenberg

It should, therefore, show the chemical characteristics of a base much more decidedly than the ammonium hydroxide solution.

From Project Gutenberg