# sodium

/ˈsoʊdiəm/ (US) · /sˈəʊdiəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sodium
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. chemical element

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a soft, silver-white metal that reacts strongly with water and is never found alone in nature.

For teachers: the chemical element with atomic number 11; a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that is highly reactive and occurs naturally only in compounds.

- Pure sodium is so soft that you can cut it with a kitchen knife.
- The chemist demonstrated how pure sodium reacts violently when exposed to water, producing hydrogen gas and a strong alkaline solution.

Usage: Uncountable in its chemical sense.

### 2. salt or dietary intake

noun · CEFR B2

the part of salt that can affect your health; often used when talking about food and diet.

For teachers: the sodium content found in food, typically as a component of sodium chloride (table salt).

- The doctor told him to eat less sodium to help lower his blood pressure.
- Processed foods often contain high levels of hidden sodium, which can contribute to hypertension if consumed in excessive quantities over time.

## Examples

- The doctor told him to eat less sodium.
- Processed foods often contain high levels of sodium to improve their flavor and shelf life.
- In its pure elemental form, sodium reacts violently with water to produce hydrogen gas and a strong alkaline solution, making it a staple of chemistry demonstrations.

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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.