barium
Americannoun
noun
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A soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline-earth group. It occurs only in combination with other elements, especially in barite. Barium compounds are used in x-raying the digestive system and in making fireworks and white pigments. Atomic number 56; atomic weight 137.33; melting point 725°C; boiling point 1,140°C; specific gravity 3.50; valence 2.
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See Periodic Table
Etymology
Origin of barium
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With the proposed StormWall, six satellites in geosynchronous orbit would release hundreds of thousands of pounds of material, such as barium, lithium or sodium.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
A significant expense would be the launch itself: The system would require 838,000 pounds of ionizable material—lithium, barium or sodium—to be lofted to an altitude of 22,000 miles above Earth’s surface.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
These are four endoscopy tests - upper endoscopy; lower endoscopy excluding colonoscopy; colonoscopy; and cystoscopy - and four radiology tests - CT scan; MRI scan; barium studies; and non-obstetric ultrasound.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025
The Environmental Protection Agency does not consider it a carcinogen; however, exposure to barium can cause gastrointestinal irritation, cardiovascular effects, kidney damage and respiratory problems.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2025
She was given an endoscopy, an MRI, and a barium swallow to test her gastrointestinal tract.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
