Word
strontium
Phoneticsstron·tium
US/ˈstɹɑntiəm/
UK/stɹˈɒntiəm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a soft silver-white metal found in nature, used to make bright red colour in fireworks and flares.
n. a soft, silvery-white alkaline-earth metal, chemical element with symbol Sr and atomic number 38, highly reactive and burning with a bright crimson flame.
Examples
“Fireworks use strontium to make a bright red colour.”
“The lab stores strontium carefully because it reacts quickly with air and water.”
“Geologists measure strontium ratios in ancient teeth to trace where people lived and travelled.”
Examples
simple
“Fireworks use strontium to make a bright red colour.”
contextual
“The lab stores strontium carefully because it reacts quickly with air and water.”
complex
“Geologists measure strontium ratios in ancient teeth to trace where people lived and travelled.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “strontium” in context.
Verb
01. absorb strontium
“Bones can absorb strontium in a similar way to calcium.”
verb + noun
02. contain strontium
“Some mineral waters naturally contain strontium in trace amounts.”
verb + noun
03. detect strontium
“Scientists can detect strontium in water samples using advanced spectrometry.”
verb + noun
04. extract strontium
“Chemists extract strontium from minerals such as celestine and strontianite.”
verb + noun
05. strontium accumulates
“Strontium accumulates in bones and teeth when ingested over time.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. natural strontium
“Natural strontium is relatively harmless compared to its radioactive isotopes.”
adj + noun
07. radioactive strontium
“Radioactive strontium was released during the nuclear accident and monitored closely.”
adj + noun
08. stable strontium
“Stable strontium occurs naturally in soil, water and certain minerals.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. isotope of strontium
“Strontium-90 is a dangerous isotope of strontium produced by nuclear fission.”
noun + prep + noun
10. contaminated with radioactive strontium
“The soil remained contaminated with radioactive strontium for decades.”
11. exposure to radioactive strontium
“Long-term exposure to radioactive strontium can damage bone marrow.”
12. high levels of strontium
“High levels of strontium were found in groundwater near the plant.”
Etymology
Coined by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1808, after the earlier term strontianite, for the name of the Scottish town Strontian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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