Definition

Noun: A chemical compound consisting of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, with the formula MgSO₄. It is a white crystalline salt commonly used in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Usage

Magnesium sulfate is typically used as a mass noun, referring to the substance as a whole rather than individual units. It is often specified by its hydrated forms, such as magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (Epsom salt).

Examples

• The doctor administered magnesium sulfate intravenously to prevent seizures in the patient with pre-eclampsia.
• Gardeners often add magnesium sulfate to soil to correct a magnesium deficiency.
• The chemical formula for magnesium sulfate is MgSO₄.

Advanced Usage

• Epsom salt: This is the common name for the heptahydrate form of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄·7H₂O), widely used in bath salts for soaking.
  • She dissolved Epsom salt, a form of magnesium sulfate, in warm water for a relaxing foot soak.

Variants and Related Words

• Epsom salt(s) (noun): The common name for magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.
• MgSO₄ (noun): The chemical formula for magnesium sulfate.

Synonyms

• Epsom salt (specifically for the heptahydrate form)
• Bitter salt (an older term)

Notes on Different Meanings

The term "magnesium sulfate" refers specifically to the inorganic salt. Its meaning and applications differ significantly from other magnesium compounds (e.g., magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate) or sulfate compounds (e.g., sodium sulfate).

Noun

1. a salt of magnesium