ENGLISH
REFERENCE

potassium

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //pəˈtæsiəm// UK //pətˈæsiəm// potas·si·um

n. a soft, silver-white metal that is very important for your health. You can find it in many foods like bananas and spinach, and it helps your heart and muscles work correctly.

n. a soft, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali metal group. It occurs naturally only in compounds and is an essential mineral for maintaining fluid balance and nerve function in living organisms.


SIMPLE

Bananas are a great source of potassium.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor recommended increasing her potassium intake to help manage her blood pressure naturally.

COMPLEX

In its pure elemental form, potassium reacts violently with water, but as a dietary mineral, it is vital for the electrochemical signaling between neurons.

Origin

Coined by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1807, from potassa (a Latinized form of potash) + -ium.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the chemical element or dietary mineral; countable only in technical contexts referring to specific isotopes or chemical forms.

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