a silver-white, slightly malleable, metallic chemical element, one of the alkaline-earth metals, found as a carbonate or sulfate and used in alloys: symbol, Ba; at. no., 56
Origin:
ModL < Gr barys, heavy (see grave) + -ium
See barium in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun Symbol Ba
A soft, silvery-white alkaline-earth metal, used to deoxidize copper and in various alloys. Atomic number 56; atomic weight 137.33; melting point 725°C; boiling point 1,140°C; specific gravity 3.50; valence 2. See Table at element.