lithium

noun

lith·​i·​um ˈli-thē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
1
: a chemical element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used especially in alloys and glass, in mechanical lubricants, and in storage batteries see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a salt of lithium (such as lithium carbonate) used in psychiatric medicine

Examples of lithium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Certain medications can lead to RLS, like lithium, beta-blockers, and antidepressants.82 What Is Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)? Health Editorial Team, Health, 15 Mar. 2024 Although rich in gold, diamonds, and lithium, nearly half of Zimbabwe’s population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 per day. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Pluses include outstanding thermal stability and safety, and the elimination of toxic and expensive lithium, cobalt, copper, or nickel. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2024 Congo is rich in natural resources: rubber, timber, oil, gas, gold, diamonds, copper, lithium, coltan, and cobalt. Amel Mukhtar, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024 This slowdown can prevent the lithium ions from properly inserting into the electrodes. Wesley Chang, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 This Edge also used a lithium ion battery that was meant to provide about 50 miles of driving range and a fuel cell as a range extender. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 There have been instances of batteries catching fire, but the four SDG&E sites are powered by lithium iron phosphate battery cells that are considered safer, with less risk of fire. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 Albemarle also has plans to reopen a dormant lithium mine in Kings Mountain. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lithium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (in German context) Lithium, taken as the metallic component of the alkali Lithion, probably based on Greek litheîon, neuter of litheîos "of stone," derivative of líthos "stone, rock," of obscure origin

Note: The alkali was discovered and analyzed, apparently in late 1817, by the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson (1792-1841), who at the time was working in the Stockholm laboratory of J.J. berzelius. Berzelius reported on the discovery and named the components in letters written to the editors of learned publications, as J. S. C. Schweiggers' Journal für Chemie und Physik. Schweiggers published the letter, dated January 27, 1818, as "Ein neues mineralisches Alkali und ein Neues Metall" ("a new mineral alkali and a new metal") in vol. 21 of the journal (pp. 44-48). According to Berzelius, "we have named it [the new alkali] Lithion, thereby alluding to its first discovery in the mineral kingdom, as the two others [the alkali metals sodium and potassium] were first discovered in organic substances [literally, "organic nature"]. Its radical will then be named Lithium." ("Wir haben es Lithion genannt, um dadurch auf seine erste Entdeckung im Mineralreich anzuspielen, da die beiden anderen erst in der organischen Natur entdeckt wurden. Sein Radical wird dann Lithium genannt werden.")

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lithium was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near lithium

Cite this Entry

“Lithium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithium. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lithium

noun
lith·​i·​um ˈlith-ē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
: a soft silver-white element that is the lightest metal known see element

Medical Definition

lithium

noun
lith·​i·​um ˈlith-ē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
1
: a soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used in chemical synthesis and in storage batteries
symbol Li
see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a lithium salt and especially lithium carbonate used in psychiatric medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on lithium

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