strontium

noun

stron·tium ˈsträn(t)-sh(ē-)əm ˈsträn-tē-əm

: a soft malleable ductile metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination and used especially in color TV tubes, in crimson fireworks, and in the production of some ferrites see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of strontium in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In these skeletons, Cole and her colleagues looked at the strontium-to-calcium ratio and at different isotopes of oxygen because both track temperature. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Corals grow their calcium carbonate skeletons by pulling calcium from the ocean water but can substitute the element strontium if needed. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026 Atomic changes for tunability The researchers were working with a ceramic material called strontium tantalate. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 In the Adelaide River, seasonal rainfall dramatically alters the chemistry of the water; during the wet season, heavy rainfall washes material from ancient rocks into the river, changing the ratio of strontium isotopes. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for strontium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from strontia strontium oxide, from obsolete English strontian, from Strontian, village in Scotland

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of strontium was in 1808

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Browse Nearby Words

strontic

strontium

strontium 90

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“Strontium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strontium. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

strontium

noun

stron·tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm

ˈstränt-ē-əm

: a soft metallic element that can be hammered and shaped, occurs only in combination, and is used in color TV picture tubes and red fireworks see element

Medical Definition

strontium

noun

stron·tium ˈsträn-ch(ē-)əm ˈstränt-ē-əm

: a soft malleable ductile bivalent metallic element of the alkaline-earth group occurring only in combination

—symbol Sr see Chemical Elements Table

strontium

noun

Examples of strontium in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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