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.
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
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
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.
