calcium carbonate

noun

: a compound CaCO₃ found in nature as calcite and aragonite and in plant ashes, bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and Portland cement and as a gastric antacid

Examples of calcium carbonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers adopted a new scientific technique to determine the minimum age of the painting, using a laser to date a calcium carbonate crystal that had formed naturally on it. —The Week Uk, theweek, 29 Dec. 2024

The air is put into contact with the base stream, turning the CO2 into bicarbonate ions and solid calcium carbonate. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2024

Coprolites are fossils, so most organic components have been replaced by mineral deposits like silicate and calcium carbonates. —Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2024

On the scientific side, its researchers wanted to release a few hundred grams of non-toxic calcium carbonate into the stratosphere and track the way the material dispersed, altered atmospheric chemistry, and scattered light. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

calcium carbonate

noun

: a solid substance found in nature as limestone and marble and in plant ashes, bones, and shells and used especially in making lime and portland cement

Medical Definition

calcium carbonate

noun

: a calcium salt CaCO₃ that is found in limestone, chalk, marble, plant ashes, bones, and many shells, that is obtained also as a white precipitate by passing carbon dioxide into a suspension of calcium hydroxide in water, and that is used in dentifrices and in pharmaceuticals as an antacid and to supplement bodily calcium stores