calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

often attributive

: a metallic chemical element of the alkaline-earth group that occurs naturally only in combination and is essential to cellular functions in all known organisms see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of calcium in a Sentence

Her doctor said she should eat more foods that are high in calcium, such as milk and cheese.

Recent Examples on the Web

Compared to plain coconut water, for example, a 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade contains 490 mg of sodium, not to mention 350 mg of potassium, along with other electrolytes like chloride, magnesium, and calcium. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 15 Aug. 2025

Yogurt also provides calcium, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and is sometimes fortified with vitamin D. Such nutrients contribute to bone, nerve, brain and immune health. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

In those cases, a combination of protein, calcium, and vitamin D can support bone health. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025

However, excessive coffee consumption may lead to low levels of certain nutrients, like iron and calcium, especially in people with poor dietary intake and those with preexisting health conditions. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin calc-, calx lime

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calcium

• calcium carbide
• calcium carbonate
• calcium channel blocker
• calcium chloride
• calcium citrate
• calcium cyanamide
• calcium gluconate
• calcium hydroxide
• calcium hypochlorite
• calcium oxalate
• calcium oxide
• calcium phosphate
• calcium silicate
• calcium sulfate

Rhymes for calcium

• dicalcium
• tricalcium

Kids Definition

calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

: a silver-white soft metallic element that is found only in combination with other elements (as in limestone) and is one of the necessary elements making up the bodies of most plants and animals see element

Etymology

derived from Latin calc-, calx "lime" — related to calculate, chalk

Medical Definition

calcium

noun

cal·​ci·​um ˈkal-sē-əm 

often attributive

: a silver-white bivalent metallic element that is an alkaline earth metal, occurs only in combination, and is an essential constituent of most plants and animals

—symbol Ca see Chemical Elements Table