noun
magnesium
mag-NEE-zee-uhm/mæɡˈniːziəm/
A light, silvery metallic chemical element essential to life.
A silvery magnesium ribbon rests beside a small metal ingot.
Etymology
Magnesium was named for magnesia, the white mineral substance in which the metal was found. The ending marks the name as that of a metallic element.
In context
three additional elements calcium sulfur and magnesium are called secondary nutrients because they have important supporting roles in plant cellular development
More examples
- Spinach and almonds provide magnesium, which supports normal muscle function.
- Engineers use magnesium to make lightweight alloys.
- A strip of magnesium burns with a brilliant white light.
Forms
magnesium