calcium

noun, often attributive

cal·ci·um | \ ˈkal-sē-əm

Definition of calcium

: a metallic chemical element of the alkaline-earth group that occurs naturally only in combination and is essential to cellular functions in all known organisms — see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of calcium in a Sentence

Her doctor said she should eat more foods that are high in calcium, such as milk and cheese.

Recent Examples on the Web Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard contain essential prenatal nutrients like calcium, iron, and folate (which also helps protect against birth defects), not to mention tons of vital daily dietary fiber, says Williams. — Irina Gonzalez, Glamour, "19 Foods That May Increase Fertility for the Ultimate Fertility Diet," 9 Sep. 2020 Too much vitamin D can cause a build up of calcium in the blood which can lead to nausea, vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination and could eventually cause bone pain and kidney problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Lisa Schencker, chicagotribune.com, "Lack of vitamin D might increase risk for COVID-19, University of Chicago researchers find," 3 Sep. 2020 As the disk cooled, the first solids condensed out like frost on a windowpane: crystalline clumps of aluminium and calcium as big as poppy seeds. — Joshua Sokol, Science | AAAS, "An unusual meteorite, more valuable than gold, may hold the building blocks of life," 13 Aug. 2020 Nopales are a low carb, fat-free, cholesterol-free food that is high in potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A, C and K. A one-cup serving of cooked cactus is only 23 calories. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "How to make nopales," 12 Aug. 2020 Workers had uncovered a huge thighbone while digging up calcium-rich marl for fertilizer on the farm of one John Masten. — Hans-dieter Sues, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Story of Charles Willson Peale’s Massive Mastodon," 6 May 2020 Uneven watering prevents the uptake of calcium and can be to blame. — oregonlive, "It’s tomato time in Oregon: Tips for ripening, picking and preserving your harvest," 28 Aug. 2020 For example, while the amounts are small per serving, 31 minerals have been found in honey—including all of the major minerals, such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, "5 Health Benefits of Honey, According to a Nutritionist," 28 Aug. 2020 Factors that encourage blossom-end rot include low soil pH and low levels of calcium, inconsistent water levels, high temperatures, intense light, and excessive nitrogen fertilizers. — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Blossom end rot on tomatoes and whether ants help," 27 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calcium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Calcium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcium. Accessed 23 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for calcium

calcium

noun

English Language Learners Definition of calcium

: a substance that is found in most plants and animals and that is especially important in people for strong healthy bones

See the full definition for calcium in the English Language Learners Dictionary

calcium

noun

cal·ci·um | \ ˈkal-sē-əm

Kids Definition of calcium

: a silvery soft metallic chemical element that is essential for strong healthy bones

calcium

noun, often attributive

cal·ci·um | \ ˈkal-sē-əm

Medical Definition of calcium

: a silver-white bivalent metallic element that is an alkaline earth metal, occurs only in combination, and is an essential constituent of most plants and animals —symbol Ca — see Chemical Elements Table

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