strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn(t)-sh(ē-)əm  ˈsträn-tē-əm 

: 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

Examples of strontium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An optical cable between the two ion traps allowed photons to entangle the two strontium ions, getting the whole system to operate as a single unit. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2025

Land erosion deposits strontium into oceans, while carbonate-producing marine life produce and release strontium when building their skeletons. —Bruce J. MacFadden, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025

Indeed, the vegetation that the rhinos ate and the soil and bedrock that supported that vegetation shared similar ratios of carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotopes, and those isotopes made their way to the rhinos’ teeth during feeding. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025

To determine what other minerals may have been key players in the ancient oceans, Kirkland hopes to look at rocks called apatites, which contain oxygen and other elements like strontium and phosphorus. —Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm 

ˈstränt-ē-əm

: a soft metallic element that can be hammered and shaped, occurs only in combination, and is used in color TV picture tubes and red fireworks see element

Medical Definition

strontium

noun

stron·​tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm  ˈstränt-ē-əm 

: a soft malleable ductile bivalent metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination

—symbol Sr see Chemical Elements Table