Definition of barium Barium

/bɛˈɹiʌm/ - [bereeum] - bar•i•um

We found 7 definitions of barium from 7 different sources.

What does barium mean?

Noun Plural: baria
barium - a soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group; found in barite
		Ba, atomic number 56
		metallic element, metal any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
		barite, barytes, heavy spar, barium sulphate a white or colorless mineral (BaSO4); the main source of barium

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barium (Noun)
A metallic chemical element symbol Ba with an atomic number of 56.

barium (n.)
One of the elements, belonging to the alkaline earth group; a metal having a silver-white color, and melting at a very high temperature. It is difficult to obtain the pure metal, from the facility with which it becomes oxidized in the air. Atomic weight, 137. Symbol, Ba. Its oxide called baryta.

barium
A soft silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline earth group. It has the symbol Ba, and atomic number 56. It is used in bearing alloys and compounds are used as pigments.\n(Source: CED)

barium
bā′ri-um, n. the metal present in heavy spar (sulphate of baryta) and baryta, formerly thought to be white, but now known to possess a yellow colour.—adj. Bar′ic. [From Baryta; cf. soda, sodium.]

Barium is chemical element 56 on the periodic table. Its symbol is Ba.

Barium is part of a group of elements known as the alkali earth metals. It is reactive, and if you put pure barium metal in the air, it will react with oxygen. Barium has some interesting uses. Certain types of barium can be put in the body. We can see where the barium travels in the body and this can tell us whether there are problems, such as blockages.

Barium is a very toxic element, though, and is dangerous. There is a really small amount of barium in our food, and this does not cause problems. If we get barium from other places, though, it can cause many problems. Even 1 gram of barium can kill you. It is dangerous because it acts like other really important elements, such as calcium and magnesium. If barium replaces these elements, it screws up the body.