sodium

[soh-dee-uhm]

noun

1. Chemistry.,  a soft, silver-white, metallic element that oxidizes rapidly in moist air, occurring in nature only in the combined state, and used in the synthesis of sodium peroxide, sodium cyanide, and tetraethyllead: a necessary element in the body for the maintenance of normal fluid balance and other physiological functions. Na; 22.9898; 11; 0.97 at 20°C.

2. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.,  any salt of sodium, as sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, present in or added to foods or beverages as a seasoning or preservative and used in many pharmaceutical products as an antacid, anticoagulant, or other agent.

sodium

/ ˈsəʊdɪəm /

noun

1. 1. a very reactive soft silvery-white element of the alkali metal group occurring principally in common salt, Chile saltpetre, and cryolite. Sodium and potassium ions maintain the essential electrolytic balance in living cells. It is used in the production of chemicals, in metallurgy, and, alloyed with potassium, as a cooling medium in nuclear reactors. Symbol: Na; atomic no: 11; atomic wt: 22.989768; valency: 1; relative density: 0.971; melting pt: 97.81±0.03°C; boiling pt: 892.9°C

   2. ( as modifier )

      sodium light

sodium

1. A soft, lightweight, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali group that reacts explosively with water. It is the most abundant alkali metal on Earth, occurring especially in common salt. Sodium is very malleable, and its compounds have many important uses in industry. Atomic number 11; atomic weight 22.99; melting point 97.8°C; boiling point 892°C; specific gravity 0.971; valence 1.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium¹

C19: New Latin, from _soda + _-ium

Example Sentences

The ideal is to have as much or more potassium in your diet as sodium, which is very difficult because our food environment is bathed in salt.

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Oklo’s liquid sodium-cooled fast reactors use sodium as a heat transfer liquid and coolant, which allows them to operate at high temperatures without being pressurized, unlike conventional reactors.

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More runners in the middle distances are using a supplement whose main ingredient is sodium bicarbonate—household baking soda.

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For years PepsiCo has gradually reduced the sodium, saturated fat and sugar content in its products.

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Aldosterone causes sodium to be retained, which increases water retention and blood pressure.

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