sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsō-dē-əm 

1

: a silver-white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group with atomic number 11 that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically see Chemical Elements Table

2

: salt sense 1a, sodium chloride

—not used technically

reduced her sodium intake

a low-sodium diet

Examples of sodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The mix helps maintain a low anode voltage, boosting the battery’s overall voltage, while the ionic sodium prevents dangerous metal plating that can cause short circuits. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

This includes laxatives and stool softeners like Miralax (polyethylene glycol), Ducolax (bisacodyl), Senna (sennosides), and Colace (docusate sodium). —Kirstyn Hill, Health, 21 Nov. 2025

Natrium technology uses liquid sodium and operates at a lower pressure than most nuclear reactors — which use pressurized water as a coolant and operate at high pressures. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025

It’s filled to the brim with skin-loving ingredients such as niacinamide, ashwagandha extract, and sodium hyaluronate to keep your hands hydrated for up to 16 hours. —Denise Primbet, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English soda

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sodium

• sodium azide
• sodium benzoate
• sodium bicarbonate
• sodium borohydride
• sodium carbonate
• sodium chlorate
• sodium chloride
• sodium citrate
• sodium cyanide
• sodium fluoride
• sodium fluoroacetate
• sodium hydroxide
• sodium hypochlorite
• sodium lamp
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• sodium metasilicate
• sodium nitrate
• sodium nitrite
• sodium pump
• sodium salicylate
• sodium sulfate
• sodium thiosulfate
• sodium tripolyphosphate
• sodium-vapor lamp

Rhymes for sodium

• odium
• podium
• rhodium
• chenopodium
• lycopodium
• monosodium
• polypodium
• desmodium
• disodium
• plasmodium
• propodeum
• trisodium

Kids Definition

sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm 

: 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 

: 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