sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsō-dē-əm 

1

: a silver-white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group with atomic number 11 that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically see Chemical Elements Table

2

: salt sense 1a, sodium chloride

—not used technically

reduced her sodium intake

a low-sodium diet

Examples of sodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This $127 device concentrates sodium ions on the tongue, making low-sodium foods taste up to 1.5 times saltier. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025

Shades: 30 Key ingredients: Mica, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, titanium dioxide (SPF), silica, orange peel oil, jojoba esters, vitamin E Size: 1 fl oz. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025

Complications with the sodium in her blood led to early issues. —Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025

Drinking lots of liquids and consuming too much sodium can add to fluid retention.9 Some people with either type of heart failure may need to take medications such as diuretics to remove the excess fluid. —Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English soda

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sodium

• sodium azide
• sodium benzoate
• sodium bicarbonate
• sodium borohydride
• sodium carbonate
• sodium chlorate
• sodium chloride
• sodium citrate
• sodium cyanide
• sodium fluoride
• sodium fluoroacetate
• sodium hydroxide
• sodium hypochlorite
• sodium lauryl sulfate
• sodium metasilicate
• sodium nitrate
• sodium nitrite
• sodium pump
• sodium salicylate
• sodium sulfate
• sodium thiosulfate
• sodium tripolyphosphate
• sodium-vapor lamp

Kids Definition

sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm 

: a soft waxy silver-white metallic element that is chemically very active and is common in nature in combined form see element

Medical Definition

sodium

noun

so·​di·​um ˈsōd-ē-əm 

: a silver white soft waxy ductile element of the alkali metal group that occurs abundantly in nature in combined form and is very active chemically

—symbol Na see Chemical Elements Table