alkali metal

noun Chemistry.

any of the group of univalent metals including potassium, sodium, lithium, rubidium, cesium, and francium, whose hydroxides are alkalis.

Origin of alkali metal

First recorded in 1880–85

Words nearby alkali metal

alkali blue, alkali denaturation test, alkali feldspar, alkali flat, alkali grass, alkali metal, alkali metaprotein, alkali reserve, alkali rock, alkali soil, alkali-loving

British Dictionary definitions for alkali metal

alkali metal

noun

any of the monovalent metals lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium, belonging to group 1A of the periodic table. They are all very reactive and electropositive

Medical definitions for alkali metal

alkali metal

n.

Any of a group of soft, white, low-density, low-melting, highly reactive metallic elements, including lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium.

Scientific definitions for alkali metal

alkali metal

Any of a group of soft metallic elements that form alkali solutions when they combine with water. They include lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. Except for cesium, which has a gold sheen, alkali metals are white. The alkali metals have one electron in their outer shell, and therefore react easily with other elements and are found in nature only in compounds. See Periodic Table.