magnesium

noun

mag·​ne·​sium mag-ˈnē-zē-əm 

-zhəm

: a silver-white malleable ductile light metallic element that occurs abundantly in nature and is used in metallurgical and chemical processes, in photography, signaling, and pyrotechnics because of the intense white light it produces on burning, and in construction especially in the form of light alloys see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of magnesium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to potassium, soybeans are rich in iron, magnesium, selenium, and folate. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 25 June 2025

By using magnesium, HIDIZS has managed to reduce the weight of the diaphragm by up to 40% of the weight of regular materials. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Also, among the 15 metals tested for, many – zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt and molybdenum – are essential minerals and beneficial at low levels. —New Atlas, 23 June 2025

Research also suggests symptom improvement when magnesium supplements are added, but more data is needed to confirm these effects.7 Zinc is an important mineral found in certain kinds of seafood, red meat, poultry, and dairy products. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from magnesia

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing magnesium

• magnesium carbonate
• magnesium chloride
• magnesium hydroxide
• magnesium oxide
• magnesium sulfate

Rhymes for magnesium

• caesium
• cesium
• trapezium

Kids Definition

magnesium

noun

mag·​ne·​sium mag-ˈnē-zē-əm 

-zhəm

: a silver-white metallic element that is light and easily worked, burns with a dazzling light, and is used in making lightweight alloys see element

Medical Definition

magnesium

noun

mag·​ne·​sium mag-ˈnē-zē-əm  -zhəm 

: a silver-white light malleable ductile metallic element that occurs abundantly in nature (as in bones and seeds and in the form of chlorophyll in the green parts of plants) and is used in metallurgical and chemical processes, in photography, in signaling, and in the manufacture of pyrotechnics because of the intense white light it produces on burning, and in construction especially in the form of light alloys

—symbol Mg see Chemical Elements Table