# magnesium

/mæɡˈniziəm/ (US) · /mæɡnˈiːziəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/magnesium
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a silver-white metal that is very light and burns with a bright white light. It is an important mineral that your body needs to stay healthy.

For teachers: a light, silvery-white metallic element of the alkaline earth group. It is essential to plant and animal life and is used in lightweight alloys and pyrotechnics.

## Examples

- Magnesium is found in many green vegetables.
- The doctor suggested taking a magnesium supplement to help with the patient's recurring muscle cramps.
- In the aerospace industry, magnesium is often alloyed with aluminum to create components that are exceptionally strong yet light enough to improve fuel efficiency.

## Usage notes

- Usually uncountable when referring to the chemical element or dietary mineral; can be countable when referring to specific chemical doses or types of alloys.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.