calcium carbonate

noun

: a compound CaCO₃ found in nature as calcite and aragonite and in plant ashes, bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and Portland cement and as a gastric antacid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web There is an equilibrium between dissolved carbonate—which critters can use to build calcium carbonate shells, for example—and dissolved CO2. —

Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2021 Abrasive cleaners may contain silica, pumice, or calcium carbonate. Stain Type Some formulas are better than others at removing certain types of stains. —

Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2023 Sodium fluoride, hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, xylitol, coconut oil Size 4.07 oz. —

Sam Peters, ELLE, 21 Jan. 2023 Standing next to the injection site, Snæbjörnsdóttir grabbed a piece of crystallized calcium carbonate, known here as the Icelandic spar, and held it against the sunlight. —

Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 20 Oct. 2021 One of the prime examples is calcium carbonate. —

IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2023 The cement reacted with the carbon dioxide to turn it into a mineral, calcium carbonate, which was then sealed into concrete that was formed into blocks. —

Brad Plumer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2023 The Toothpaste Bits do claim to naturally whiten the teeth thanks to calcium carbonate (a mild abrasive to polish the surface). —

Emily Algar, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 Deposits containing calcium carbonate, such as limestone or chalk, are mined from quarries, which may include small amounts of clay containing silicon, aluminum or iron. —

Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calcium carbonate.' 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

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of calcium carbonate was in 1868

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near calcium carbonate

calcium carbide

calcium carbonate

calcium channel blocker

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Calcium carbonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcium%20carbonate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

calcium carbonate

noun

: a solid substance found in nature as limestone and marble and in plant ashes, bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and portland cement

Medical Definition

calcium carbonate

noun

: a calcium salt CaCO₃ that is found in limestone, chalk, marble, plant ashes, bones, and many shells, that is obtained also as a white precipitate by passing carbon dioxide into a suspension of calcium hydroxide in water, and that is used in dentifrices and in pharmaceuticals as an antacid and to supplement bodily calcium stores