alkaline earth

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of the oxides of barium, radium, strontium, calcium, and, sometimes, magnesium.

alkaline earth

noun

1. Also calledalkaline earth metalalkaline earth element any of the divalent electropositive metals beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium, belonging to group 2A of the periodic table
2. an oxide of one of the alkaline earth metals

Word History and Origins

Origin of alkaline earth¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

What properties have the alkaline-earth metals in common with the alkali metals?

From Project Gutenberg

Like the alkaline-earth metals, their carbonates and phosphates are insoluble in water.

From Project Gutenberg

The alkaline-earth family consists of the very abundant element calcium and the much rarer elements strontium and barium.

From Project Gutenberg

They are called the alkaline-earth metals because their properties are between those of the alkali metals and the earth metals.

From Project Gutenberg

Unlike both the alkali and alkaline-earth metals, their hydroxides are nearly insoluble in water.

From Project Gutenberg