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

The dating technique used on the eggs, known more formally as carbonate uranium-lead, or U-Pb, dating, is a common process for determining the age of carbonate minerals — those containing calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Nutritional yeast Nutritional yeast is rich in B vitamins, essential amino acids, and vitamins such as selenium, phosphorus, and magnesium. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025

Enhance Soil Fertility Rely on the soil sample analysis to determine the levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and boron in your soil. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

Weighing just 320g, the YH-4000 have lightweight magnesium housings and a two-layer headband with a stepless slider for a precise fit. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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