noun
Uncommon
lithium
LIH-thee-uhm
Lithium (noun) means a soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3). Example: “Most smartphones run on rechargeable lithium batteries.”
noun
1
A soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3).
"Already, beautiful places are being wrecked by an electric vehicle resource rush. Lithium mining, for example, is now poisoning rivers and depleting groundwater from Tibet to Bolivia."
— George Monbiot, Cars are killing us. Within 10 years, we must phase them out (2019)
"Most smartphones run on rechargeable lithium batteries."
"The importance of lithium-ion batteries makes lithium a potentially strategic natural resource."
2
A form of this element used as a medication to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
"His psychiatrist prescribed lithium to help manage his mood swings."
How to use lithium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lightweight metal used in batteries, or the same element used as a mood-stabilizing drug.
Common pairings
lithium battery
lithium-ion
lithium carbonate
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Word forms
- Plural
- lithiums
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Most smartphones run on rechargeable _____ batteries.
Etymology
From Greek lithos ("stone"), plus the chemical suffix -ium — named because it was first found in mineral (stone) form, unlike other alkali metals discovered in plant ash.
Synonyms
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Li
atomic number 3
Related words
Rhymes for lithium
See all rhymes for lithium →Frequently asked questions
What does “lithium” mean?
The word “lithium” means a soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3). In plain terms, a lightweight metal used in batteries, or the same element used as a mood-stabilizing drug.
How do you pronounce “lithium”?
“Lithium” is pronounced LIH-thee-uhm (/ˈlɪθi.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “lithium” in a sentence?
Here is “lithium” used in a sentence: “Most smartphones run on rechargeable lithium batteries.”
What part of speech is “lithium”?
“Lithium” is a noun.
Where does the word “lithium” come from?
The word “lithium” comes from Greek. From Greek lithos ("stone"), plus the chemical suffix -ium — named because it was first found in mineral (stone) form, unlike other alkali metals discovered in plant ash.
Is “lithium” a common word?
“Lithium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lithium” have?
“Lithium” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, silvery metal that is the lightest of all metals, used in batteries (symbol Li, atomic number 3).
What is lithium used for besides batteries?
Beyond its widespread use in batteries as a soft, silvery, lightweight metal, lithium is also used in a medical form as a medication to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
Why is lithium used in batteries?
Lithium is used in batteries because it is the lightest of all metals and has properties that make it efficient at storing and releasing energy, which is why it appears in products from phones to electric vehicles.
Is lithium the medication the same as lithium the metal?
Lithium as a mood-stabilizing medication is a specific form of the same chemical element (symbol Li, atomic number 3) used in batteries, but it is prepared and dosed differently for medical use to treat bipolar disorder.
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