Noun: alkaline earth 'al-ku,lIn urth
- Any of the metallic elements in group 2 (IIA) of the periodic table, characterized by their bivalent nature and including beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium
"Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal used in lightweight alloys";
- alkaline-earth metal
Derived forms: alkaline earths
Type of: metal, metallic element
Encyclopedia: Alkaline earth