sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsō-dē-əm How to pronounce sodium (audio)
: a silver-white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically see Chemical Elements Table

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web While many shampoos contain sulfates, foaming agents that remove buildup but can dry out the hair and scalp, Vegamour relies on sulfate alternatives such as sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and lauramidopropyl betaine to sweep away buildup and dirt. Iman Balagam, Allure, 27 Mar. 2023 This could be helpful for replacing electrolytes after exercise, as sodium is lost in sweat. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 27 Mar. 2023 With 60 mg of sodium per bear, Rip Van Keto Gummy Bears provide a great source of electrolytes and help keep your ketones high throughout the day. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2023 Walton’s Inc, a meat processing supply company that literally sells sodium phosphate, put the theory to the test in 2020 in a Facebook video in which a man tastes three chicken breasts injected with different concentrations of phosphate. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 16 Mar. 2023 Most Americans consume too much sodium, sugar and saturated fat, according to government survey data. Andrea Petersen, WSJ, 14 Mar. 2023 Potassium, found in most fresh fruits and vegetables, has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, especially when sodium is also reduced. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2023 The standards would reduce sodium limits gradually over several school years. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023 The visit comes as the USDA has proposed changes to school meals, including reducing sugar and sodium content in meals. Savannah Tryens-fernandes | Stryens-fernandes@al.com, al, 9 Mar. 2023 See More

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

New Latin, from English soda

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sodium was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near sodium

Cite this Entry

“Sodium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

sodium

noun
so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm How to pronounce sodium (audio)
: a soft waxy silver-white metallic element that is chemically very active and is common in nature in combined form see element

Medical Definition

sodium

noun
so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm How to pronounce sodium (audio)
: a silver white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically
symbol Na
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on sodium

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY