barium
2 synonyms for barium, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Ba, atomic number 56).
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
atomic number 56
How to use barium
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
barium meal
barium swallow
barium sulphate
Etymology
Coined in 1808 by the chemist Humphry Davy, from "baryta" (an older name for barium oxide) plus the chemical suffix "-ium."
Full origin of barium →Frequently asked questions
What does “barium” mean?
The word “barium” means a soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Ba, atomic number 56). In plain terms, a metallic element, most familiar from fireworks (green flames) and hospital "barium" scans.
How do you pronounce “barium”?
“Barium” is pronounced BEH-uh-reerm (/ˈbɛəɹɪəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “barium” in a sentence?
Here is “barium” used in a sentence: “Barium compounds burn with a distinctive green flame, which is why they're used in fireworks.”
What part of speech is “barium”?
“Barium” is a noun.
Where does the word “barium” come from?
The word “barium” dates back to around 1808. Coined in 1808 by the chemist Humphry Davy, from "baryta" (an older name for barium oxide) plus the chemical suffix "-ium.".
How many meanings does “barium” have?
“Barium” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Ba, atomic number 56).
