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

Because the sediment is rich in organic matter and nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, it can store these compounds and potentially release them back into the environment over time.

From Science Daily

Testing confirmed that RidgeAlloy contains the combination of aluminum, magnesium, silicon, iron and manganese needed for structural vehicle castings, even when the recycled metal includes higher levels of iron and silicon.

From Science Daily

As the water evaporated, it left layered deposits of iron and magnesium sulfates that provide evidence of a much wetter Mars in the past.

From Science Daily

The long-term sleep benefits of magnesium and melatonin have been scientifically proven, yet for ingredients like chamomile, any documented positive sleep impacts appear to be short-term, with placebo effects commonly occurring.

From BBC

They focused on iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, and potassium.

From Science Daily