How to pronounce calcium
Say it like KAL-see-um. Calcium has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce calcium. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAL
- see
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Calcium pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of calcium
American and British speakers say calcium in essentially the same way: /ˈkælsiəm/ in the US and /ˈkælsiəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAL-see-um.
What does calcium mean?
- a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals
Where does calcium come from?
Coined by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1808, from Latin calx (“lime, limestone”) because it occurs in limestone.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying calcium
How do you pronounce calcium?
Say KAL-see-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈkælsiəm/. In British English it is /ˈkælsiəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in calcium?
Calcium has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL). Broken into parts: KAL · see · um.
Do Americans and Brits say calcium the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkælsiəm/ and the British form is /ˈkælsiəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.