lithium

noun

lith·​i·​um ˈli-thē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
1
: a chemical element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used especially in alloys and glass, in mechanical lubricants, and in storage batteries see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a salt of lithium (such as lithium carbonate) used in psychiatric medicine

Examples of lithium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Image: Suzuki As for the E Vitara, the vehicle will be powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery in either 49 kWh or 60 kWh capacities. —Umar Shakir, The Verge, 6 Nov. 2024 As part of the deal, GM agreed to a 20-year off-take agreement for 38% of the lithium produced there. —Joann Muller, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 The high-capacity lithium battery provides about 100 minutes of juice on a full charge. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Renewable energy runs on lithium batteries, but the resource is in short supply worldwide.⚒️ Read more Life is 'gourd' in Pumpkintown USA America goes wild for pumpkins every fall. —John Riley, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lithium 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (in German context) Lithium, taken as the metallic component of the alkali Lithion, probably based on Greek litheîon, neuter of litheîos "of stone," derivative of líthos "stone, rock," of obscure origin

Note: The alkali was discovered and analyzed, apparently in late 1817, by the Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson (1792-1841), who at the time was working in the Stockholm laboratory of J.J. berzelius. Berzelius reported on the discovery and named the components in letters written to the editors of learned publications, as J. S. C. Schweiggers' Journal für Chemie und Physik. Schweiggers published the letter, dated January 27, 1818, as "Ein neues mineralisches Alkali und ein Neues Metall" ("a new mineral alkali and a new metal") in vol. 21 of the journal (pp. 44-48). According to Berzelius, "we have named it [the new alkali] Lithion, thereby alluding to its first discovery in the mineral kingdom, as the two others [the alkali metals sodium and potassium] were first discovered in organic substances [literally, "organic nature"]. Its radical will then be named Lithium." ("Wir haben es Lithion genannt, um dadurch auf seine erste Entdeckung im Mineralreich anzuspielen, da die beiden anderen erst in der organischen Natur entdeckt wurden. Sein Radical wird dann Lithium genannt werden.")

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lithium was in 1818

Phrases Containing lithium

Dictionary Entries Near lithium

lithite

lithium

lithium aluminum hydride

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Lithium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithium. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

lithium

noun
lith·​i·​um ˈlith-ē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
: a soft silver-white element that is the lightest metal known see element

Medical Definition

lithium

noun
lith·​i·​um ˈlith-ē-əm How to pronounce lithium (audio)
1
: a soft silver-white element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used in chemical synthesis and in storage batteries
—symbol Li see Chemical Elements Table
2
: a lithium salt and especially lithium carbonate used in psychiatric medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on lithium

Nglish: Translation of lithium for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lithium for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lithium

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