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potassium iodide
noun
: a crystalline salt KI that is very soluble in water and is used medically chiefly in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, to block thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine, and as an expectorant
Examples of potassium iodide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The technique involves flying an aircraft to spray clouds with salts like silver or potassium iodide or solid carbon dioxide, also known as dry ice, to induce precipitation.
—WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023
There has been a rush elsewhere in Europe on potassium iodide — which protects the thyroid gland in the neck in case of radiation exposure — including in Finland where the government urged the population to buy them.
—Vanessa Gera, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Oct. 2022
City officials are already taking steps to prepare, including giving 50,000 residents potassium iodide tablets — which can help block the absorption of radioactive iodine in humans during prolonged exposure.
—Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2022
Local authorities in the Zaporizhzhia region have begun distributing potassium iodide tablets to residents in case of such a leak.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022
If large amounts of radiation are released, the Japanese government is prepared with potassium iodide pills.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011
Governments should have a national stockpile of personal protective equipment, but also a range of pharmaceuticals, including potassium iodide tablets, antiemetics, anti-diarrhoeal agents, decorporating agents, alkylating agents, and other medications, WHO said.
—Paul Best, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2023
Demand for another radiation protection measure -- potassium iodide pills -- has jumped in recent weeks as anxiety grows over the looming threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, which would pose a risk of radioactive iodine (or radioiodine) being released.
—Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 29 Mar. 2022
Precautions taken by Japan---including monitoring of food and water supplies and timely distribution of potassium iodide tablets---may lessen the severity of human health effects of the Fukushima accident, according to World Nuclear News.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2011
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potassium iodide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1851, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near potassium iodide
Cite this Entry
“Potassium iodide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potassium%20iodide. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Medical Definition
potassium iodide
noun
: a crystalline salt KI that is very soluble in water and is used medically chiefly in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, to block thyroidal uptake of radioactive iodine, and as an expectorant
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