magnesium

American  

[mag-nee-zee-uhm, -zhuhm, -shee-uhm] / mægˈni zi əm, -ʒəm, -ʃi əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a light, ductile, silver-white, metallic element that burns with a dazzling white light, used in lightweight alloys, flares, fireworks, in the manufacture of flashbulbs, optical mirrors, and precision instruments, and as a zinc substitute in batteries. Mg; 24.312; 12; 1.74 at 20°C.

---

magnesium British  

/ mæɡˈniːzɪəm /

noun

1. a light silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline earth series that burns with an intense white flame, occurring principally in magnesite, dolomite, and carnallite: used in light structural alloys, flashbulbs, flares, and fireworks. Symbol: Mg; atomic no: 12; atomic wt: 24.3050; valency: 2; relative density: 1.738; melting pt: 650°C; boiling pt: 1090°C

---

magnesium Scientific  

/ măg-nē′zē-əm /

1. A lightweight, moderately hard, silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline-earth group that burns with an intense white flame. It is an essential component of chlorophyll and is used in lightweight alloys, flash photography, and fireworks. Atomic number 12; atomic weight 24.305; melting point 649°C; boiling point 1,090°C; specific gravity 1.74 (at 20°C); valence 2.

2. See Periodic Table

---

Etymology

Origin of magnesium

From New Latin, dating back to 1800–10; magnesia, -ium

Compare meaning

How does magnesium compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• magnesium vs. magnesium oxide

Example Sentences

He is shouting over the hum of the pill presser, a machine that resembles a Dalek, which pops out dozens of small, white magnesium tablets a second.

From BBC

Vegetarian children were found to consume higher amounts of fiber, iron, folate, vitamin C, and magnesium than omnivorous children.

From Science Daily

But any amount of potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and C — all key nutrients in banana water — is helpful, King says.

From Los Angeles Times

Brimstone, a startup that produces aluminum, magnesium and other minerals, is playing a role.

From The Wall Street Journal

Metals such as sodium, magnesium, and calcium produce colours similar to those seen in fireworks.

From BBC