noun
Uncommon
potassium
puh-TA-see-uhm
Potassium (noun) means a soft, silvery metallic element (symbol K, atomic number 19) that reacts strongly with water and is essential to living cells. Example: “Bananas are often cited as a good source of potassium.”
noun
1
A soft, silvery metallic element (symbol K, atomic number 19) that reacts strongly with water and is essential to living cells.
"Bananas are often cited as a good source of potassium."
"Potassium reacts violently when dropped into water."
"The lab technician stored the potassium under oil to keep it away from moisture."
How to use potassium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal element your body needs in small amounts, found in foods like bananas and potatoes.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
potassium levels
potassium chloride
potassium-rich foods
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like potassium.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- potassiums
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bananas are often cited as a good source of _____.
Etymology
Coined in 1807 by British chemist Humphry Davy from potash (the ash-derived compound it was first isolated from) plus the chemical suffix -ium.
Class of 1807
potassium joined the language around 1807.
See the full Class of 1807 →
Synonyms
View more →
K
kalium
Related words
Rhymes for potassium
See all rhymes for potassium →Frequently asked questions
What does “potassium” mean?
The word “potassium” means a soft, silvery metallic element (symbol K, atomic number 19) that reacts strongly with water and is essential to living cells. In plain terms, a metal element your body needs in small amounts, found in foods like bananas and potatoes.
How do you pronounce “potassium”?
“Potassium” is pronounced puh-TA-see-uhm (/pəˈtæsiəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “potassium” in a sentence?
Here is “potassium” used in a sentence: “Bananas are often cited as a good source of potassium.”
What is another word for “potassium”?
Words with a similar meaning to “potassium” include kalium.
What part of speech is “potassium”?
“Potassium” is a noun.
Where does the word “potassium” come from?
The word “potassium” dates back to around 1807. Coined in 1807 by British chemist Humphry Davy from potash (the ash-derived compound it was first isolated from) plus the chemical suffix -ium.
Is “potassium” a common word?
“Potassium” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between potassium and sodium?
Potassium and sodium are both soft, silvery metallic elements that react strongly with water, but potassium reacts even more vigorously because it sits lower in the same group of the periodic table. Potassium has the chemical symbol K and atomic number 19, while sodium has the symbol Na and atomic number 11. Both are essential to living cells, though they play distinct roles in the body.
Why is potassium described as essential to living cells?
Potassium is one of the key minerals that living cells rely on to function, which is why it is classed as an essential element rather than just a laboratory chemical. Because it reacts strongly with water, pure potassium metal itself is not what cells use directly; the element is present in cells in its ionic form.
Why does potassium have the chemical symbol K instead of P?
Potassium's symbol K comes from kalium, an older name for the element, which is why 'kalium' is still listed as a synonym for potassium. The letter P was already unavailable in a way that made K the practical choice for this soft, silvery metal with atomic number 19.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include potassium:
