potassium iodide

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, KI, having a bitter saline taste: used chiefly in the manufacture of photographic emulsions, as a laboratory reagent, in the preparation of Gram's solution for biological staining, and in medicine as an expectorant and to treat thyroid conditions.

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potassium iodide Scientific  

1. A white crystalline compound used in photography and medicine and as a reagent in chemical analysis. It is also added to table salt to prevent goiter and other iodide-deficiency disorders. Chemical formula: KI.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

potassium iodide

Cloud seeding involves injecting chemical salts including silver or potassium iodide into clouds via aircraft or through generators on the ground.

From BBC ● Nov. 16, 2025

If the thyroid is already packed with potassium iodide, it won’t be able to pick up the harmful iodine that’s left after a nuclear accident.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 13, 2022

If taken at the right time at the right dose, potassium iodide will be absorbed by the thyroid gland instead of the more dangerous iodine-131, reducing the associated health risks.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2022

Fears of a possible radiation release have prompted Ukrainian officials to start distributing potassium iodide, a drug that can protect against some radiation poisoning, to people living within 35 miles of the plant.

From New York Times ● Aug. 29, 2022

But maybe his fatigue is exacerbated by the potassium iodide he's taking.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman