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Recent Examples on the Web
Trailblazers For years, scientists questioned how to fill a single square in the seventh row of the periodic table of elements.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Feb. 2023
These might include the ability to notice subtle undulations in complex mathematical graphs or to remember the spatial layout in a graphical organizer, such as the periodic table of elements.
—Matthew H. Schneps, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2015
Strontium sits just below calcium in the periodic table of the elements and imitates its behavior, incorporating itself tightly into bone.
—George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2013
Phosphorus, element No. 15 on the periodic table, was first isolated by Henning Brandt in Hamburg in 1669.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2023
Lithium is the lightest metal in the periodic table, and it’s used in all kinds of things.
—Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Apr. 2022
Every isotope of every element in the periodic table has the potential to tell us something about the nuclear history of the universe.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022
Number 94 in the periodic table, plutonium is two spaces over from uranium.
—Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018
Currently, there are 118 elements on the periodic table.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2022
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Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Feb. 2023
These might include the ability to notice subtle undulations in complex mathematical graphs or to remember the spatial layout in a graphical organizer, such as the periodic table of elements.
—Matthew H. Schneps, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2015
Strontium sits just below calcium in the periodic table of the elements and imitates its behavior, incorporating itself tightly into bone.
—George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2013
Phosphorus, element No. 15 on the periodic table, was first isolated by Henning Brandt in Hamburg in 1669.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2023
Lithium is the lightest metal in the periodic table, and it’s used in all kinds of things.
—Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Apr. 2022
Every isotope of every element in the periodic table has the potential to tell us something about the nuclear history of the universe.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022
Number 94 in the periodic table, plutonium is two spaces over from uranium.
—Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018
Currently, there are 118 elements on the periodic table.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'periodic table.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1890, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Periodic table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic%20table. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
periodic table
noun
: an arrangement of chemical elements in order of atomic number that groups elements with common characteristics in the same area of the table
Medical Definition
periodic table
noun
: an arrangement of chemical elements based on the periodic law
More from Merriam-Webster on periodic table
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periodic table
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