lithium

American  

[lith-ee-uhm] / ˈlɪθ i əm /

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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ lĭth′ē-əm /

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

---

Etymology

Origin of lithium

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

Explanation

Lithium is a lightweight metal that's commonly used to make batteries. A compound made from this element, also called lithium, is a medication for treating bipolar disorder. Lithium is the lightest and least dense of all the solid elements. It doesn't exist in nature outside of minerals, and it must be extracted in order to be used. In fact, it was named for this quality: the Greek root of lithium is lithos, or "stone." Lithium is used to remove impurities from metals, to make batteries, and in heat-resistant glass, among other things. Lithium salts, or lithium carbonate, can treat the symptoms of some mental illnesses.

Example Sentences

It also aims to boost its lithium chemical production volume while advancing the commercialization of solid-state batteries, the analysts add.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

"We receive a lot of proposals for manganese. For lithium, too. But for the moment, we are focusing on what is in highest demand: copper," Fournier said.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Benchmark lithium prices are currently about $26,000 per metric ton; a year ago, prices were below $10,000 per metric ton.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The thruster runs on lithium metal vapor and represents a significant step forward in electric propulsion.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

They had no trouble finding Lawrence’s 18-centimeter protons, but only in the lighter elements lithium and beryllium.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik