noun
strontium
STRON-tee-uhm
Strontium (noun) means a soft, reactive, silvery metallic element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38. Example: “Strontium is an alkaline earth metal.”
noun
1
A soft, reactive, silvery metallic element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38.
"Strontium is an alkaline earth metal."
"Strontium has the symbol Sr on the periodic table."
"The teacher asked which element has atomic number 38, and the answer was strontium."
How to use strontium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe name of the soft silvery metal with atomic number 38.
When to use it
A technical word from chemistry, used in science teaching and writing.
Memory tip
It is usually uncountable, so you normally say strontium without an article.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
strontium atom
alkaline earth metal
element strontium
symbol Sr
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_____ is an alkaline earth metal.
Etymology
The British chemist Humphry Davy coined the name in 1808. It follows the earlier word strontianite, which was named after the Scottish town of Strontian.
Rhymes for strontium
See all rhymes for strontium →Frequently asked questions
What is strontium?
Strontium is a soft, reactive, silvery alkaline earth metal with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38.
Where does the name strontium come from?
Humphry Davy coined it in 1808, after the earlier term strontianite. That term was named after the Scottish town of Strontian.
How do you pronounce strontium?
A common British pronunciation is STRON-tee-uhm.
What is the meaning of strontium?
"strontium" (noun) means a soft, reactive, silvery metallic element with the symbol Sr and atomic number 38.
