barium

American  

[bair-ee-uhm, bar-] / ˈbɛər i əm, ˈbær- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a whitish, malleable, active, divalent, metallic element, occurring in combination chiefly as barite or as witherite. Ba; 137.34; 56; 3.5 at 20°C.

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barium British  

/ ˈbɛərɪəm /

noun

1. a soft silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline earth group. It is used in bearing alloys and compounds are used as pigments. Symbol: Ba; atomic no: 56; atomic wt: 137.327; valency: 2; relative density: 3.5; melting pt: 729°C; boiling pt: 1805°C

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barium Scientific  

/ bâr′ē-əm /

1. 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.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of barium

First recorded in 1800–10; bar(ytes) + -ium

Example Sentences

The most concerning violations were linked to barium.

From Science Daily

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

Its nonlinear optical response was 20 times greater than that of lithium niobate, the leading nonlinear optical material, and nearly triple that of barium titanate, the previous cryogenic benchmark.

From Science Daily

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

They found increased salinity and high concentrations of heavy metals in water nearer oil wells, as well as high concentrations of lead and barium in human hair samples.

From BBC