noun
barium
BEH-uh-reerm
Barium (noun) means a soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Ba, atomic number 56). Example: “Barium compounds burn with a distinctive green flame, which is why they're used in fireworks.”
noun
1
A soft, silvery-white metallic chemical element (symbol Ba, atomic number 56).
"Barium compounds burn with a distinctive green flame, which is why they're used in fireworks."
2
Short for barium sulphate suspension, a liquid swallowed before certain X-rays to make the digestive tract visible.
"She had to drink barium before her stomach scan."
How to use barium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metallic element, most familiar from fireworks (green flames) and hospital "barium" scans.
Common pairings
barium meal
barium swallow
barium sulphate
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Word forms
- Plural
- bariums
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ compounds burn with a distinctive green flame, which is why they're used in fireworks.
Etymology
Coined in 1808 by the chemist Humphry Davy, from "baryta" (an older name for barium oxide) plus the chemical suffix "-ium."
Synonyms
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Ba
atomic number 56
Related words
Rhymes for barium
See all rhymes for 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).
