strontium

noun stron·tium \ ˈsträn(t)-sh(ē-)əm , ˈsträn-tē-əm \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of strontium

: a soft malleable ductile metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination and used especially in color TV tubes, in crimson fireworks, and in the production of some ferrites — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of strontium from the Web

In construction fill in two large pyramids near Ceibal’s ceremonial center, archaeologists found the remains of two dogs with strontium isotope ratios that didn’t match the local geology.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Ancient Maya traded dogs for use in religious ceremonies, new study shows," 19 Mar. 2018
One of the dogs came from Guatemala’s volcanic highlands and the other from the foothills of central Guatemala, according to the strontium isotope data.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Ancient Maya traded dogs for use in religious ceremonies, new study shows," 19 Mar. 2018
Some of the most accurate clocks, known as optical lattice clocks, measure the movement of electrons around strontium atoms that have been trapped in a network of lasers.

— deborah netburn, Washington Post, "Scientists take an atomic clock on the road and use it to measure the height of a mountain," 24 Feb. 2018
Carbon technology works to reduce radon and strontium in water, EWG added.

— fernando alfonso iii, Houston Chronicle, "Texas has the most contaminated water in the country, according to new report," 11 Jan. 2018
At their lab, the scientists analyzed the flakes for sulfur, oxygen and strontium isotopes.

— nicholas st. fleur, New York Times, "Uncovering an Overlooked Source for Iconic Alabaster Statues," 23 Oct. 2017
The canisters will release barium, strontium and cupric-oxide, forming colored clouds that researchers can visually monitor and track from the ground, which could help them understand the movements of particles in the ionsphere and aurora.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "NASA Launch Will Dot the Sky With Colorful Clouds," 29 June 2017
But barium that is not ionized, which can be enhanced with the addition of strontium or lithium, can also be used to track neutral particles.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "NASA Launch Will Dot the Sky With Colorful Clouds," 29 June 2017
In the case of the Judeo-Christian Bible, there's nothing about rubidium and strontium, the five layers of the atmosphere, anything like that.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Bill Nye Doesn't Have an Opinion. He Has Science.," 26 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strontium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of strontium

New Latin, from strontia strontium oxide, from obsolete English strontian, from Strontian, village in Scotland

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First Known Use: 1808

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STRONTIUM Defined for English Language Learners

strontium

noun

Definition of strontium for English Language Learners

: a soft silver-white metal that is used in color TV tubes and red fireworks

Medical Dictionary

strontium

noun stron·tium \ ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm , ˈstränt-ē-əm \

medical Definition of strontium

: a soft malleable ductile bivalent metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination —symbol Sr — see Chemical Elements Table

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