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• periodic table
  periodic table

  noun

  a table illustrating the periodic system, in which the chemical elements, formerly arranged in the order of their atomic weights and now according to their atomic numbers, are shown in related groups.
• Periodic Table
  Periodic Table

  A table in which the chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Elements with similar properties are arranged in the same column (called a group), and elements with the same number of electron shells are arranged in the same row (called a period).

periodic table

American  

[peer-ee-od-ik, peer-] / ˈpɪər iˈɒd ɪk, ˌpɪər- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a table illustrating the periodic system, in which the chemical elements, formerly arranged in the order of their atomic weights and now according to their atomic numbers, are shown in related groups.

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periodic table British  

/ ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk /

noun

1. a table of the elements, arranged in order of increasing atomic number, based on the periodic law. Elements having similar chemical properties and electronic structures appear in vertical columns (groups)

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Periodic Table Scientific  

1. A table in which the chemical elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Elements with similar properties are arranged in the same column (called a group), and elements with the same number of electron shells are arranged in the same row (called a period).

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Etymology

Origin of periodic table

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Science: Carbon is atomic number 6 on the Periodic Table of Elements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

The research group started their work to create a Periodic Table for shapes several years ago.

From Science Daily • Sep. 25, 2023

Segar also cites Rockefeller’s Periodic Table of Food, an effort to create a database that breaks down food composition.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2022

Prof Martyn Poliakoff is a pioneer in green and sustainable chemistry, known for his "Periodic Table of Videos".

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2014

Molecules do not interest her, she doesn’t seem able to grasp the Periodic Table.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood