lithium

[lith-ee-uhm]

noun

1. Chemistry.,  a soft, silver-white metallic element, the lightest of all metals, occurring combined in certain minerals. Li; 6.939; 3; 0.53 at 20°C.

2. Pharmacology.,  the substance in its carbonate or citrate form used in the treatment or prophylaxis of bipolar disorder or mania.

lithium

/ ˈlɪθɪəm /

noun

1. a soft silvery element of the alkali metal series: the lightest known metal, used as an alloy hardener, as a reducing agent, and in batteries. Symbol: Li; atomic no: 3; atomic wt: 6.941; valency: 1; relative density: 0.534; melting pt: 180.6°C; boiling pt: 1342°C

lithium

1. A soft, silvery metallic element of the alkali group that occurs in small amounts in some minerals. It is the lightest of all metals and is highly reactive. Lithium is used to make alloys, batteries, glass for large telescopes, and ceramics. Atomic number 3; atomic weight 6.941; melting point 179°C; boiling point 1,317°C; specific gravity 0.534; valence 1.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1810–20; lith-, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithium¹

C19: New Latin, from _litho- + _-ium

Example Sentences

Rio Tinto also pushed hard to advance a lithium project in Serbia that would have been among the biggest in Europe.

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Argentina controls the world’s second-largest lithium reserves — critical for EV batteries and defense systems.

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These minerals and the lithium could - if properly recovered - be reused for green technologies such as electric car batteries or in wind turbines.

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Argentina, Bolivia and Chile sit atop half of the world’s lithium resources.

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The whiplash in the lithium industry has extended far beyond just one mine, though.

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