lithium

American  

[lith-ee-uhm] / ˈlɪθ i əm /

noun

1. Chemistry. a soft, silver-white metallic element, the lightest of all metals, occurring combined in certain minerals. Li; 6.939; 3; 0.53 at 20°C.

2. Pharmacology. the substance in its carbonate or citrate form used in the treatment or prophylaxis of bipolar disorder or mania.

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lithium British  

/ ˈlɪθɪəm /

noun

1. a soft silvery element of the alkali metal series: the lightest known metal, used as an alloy hardener, as a reducing agent, and in batteries. Symbol: Li; atomic no: 3; atomic wt: 6.941; valency: 1; relative density: 0.534; melting pt: 180.6°C; boiling pt: 1342°C

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lithium Scientific  

/ lĭth′ē-əm /

1. A soft, silvery metallic element of the alkali group that occurs in small amounts in some minerals. It is the lightest of all metals and is highly reactive. Lithium is used to make alloys, batteries, glass for large telescopes, and ceramics. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 179°C; boiling point 1,317°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of lithium

From New Latin, dating back to 1810–20; lith-, -ium

Example Sentences

The villages also sit on deposits of other minerals including tantalite, copper and lithium, in strong demand for its use in electric vehicles and clean energy tech.

From Barron's

Most of this capital is focused on copper, though Chile also boasts the world’s largest reserves of lithium.

From Barron's

“We’re interested in generating agreements for the exploitation of our resources such as lithium and other rare earth minerals.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The continent is loaded with copper, chromium, lithium and rare earths.

From MarketWatch

Kast, 59 years old, will take office in March, leading a major mining nation that is the world’s top producer of copper and second biggest producer of lithium, crucial components for renewable energies.

From The Wall Street Journal