sodium

[ soh-dee-uh m ]
/ ˈsoʊ di əm /

noun

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. Symbol: Na; atomic weight: 22.9898; atomic number: 11; specific gravity: 0.97 at 20°C.
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.

Origin of sodium

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

Words nearby sodium

sodden, soddy, sodger, sodic, sodio-, sodium, sodium amide, sodium ammonium phosphate, sodium amytal, sodium arsenite, sodium barbital

Example sentences from the Web for sodium

British Dictionary definitions for sodium

sodium
/ (ˈsəʊdɪəm) /

noun

  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

Word Origin for sodium

C19: New Latin, from soda + -ium

Medical definitions for sodium

sodium
[ sō′dē-əm ]

n. Symbol Na

A soft, light, highly reactive metallic element that is naturally abundant, especially in common salt. Atomic number 11.

Scientific definitions for sodium

sodium
[ sō′dē-əm ]

Na

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. See Periodic Table.