bismuth

noun

bis·​muth ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio)
: a metallic element that is used in alloys, pharmaceuticals (especially bismuth subsalicylate), and in pigments for cosmetics see Chemical Elements Table
bismuthic
biz-ˈmə-thik How to pronounce bismuth (audio)
-ˈmyü-
adjective

Examples of bismuth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the first cell, a bismuth electrode releases protons that separates CO2 from the carbonates and bicarbonates in the water, while a silver chloride electrode releases chloride ions to balance charge. IEEE Spectrum, 15 Aug. 2023 Chang stressed that the levitation observed does not necessarily mean that the material is a superconductor—there are many materials that exhibit strong diamagnetism, which could be hard to distinguish from perfect diamagnetism, that are not superconductors, such as bismuth and graphite. Will Henshall, Time, 3 Aug. 2023 Not surprisingly, many of the elements that like to bond with sulfur were there: copper, lead, bismuth, tin as well as more exotic elements like lithium, uranium and niobium (the latter three at less than one part per million). Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2023 Each of these devices has a cathode composed of a photovoltaic perovskite and a cobalt catalyst, and an anode made of the photocatalyst bismuth vanadate. IEEE Spectrum, 5 June 2023 When the device is immersed in water, bismuth vanadate absorbs sunlight and triggers the process of splitting the water at the anode. IEEE Spectrum, 5 June 2023 The survey will be concentrated in an area of South-Central Alabama known as the Graphite Belt, and look for minerals such as aluminum, arsenic, bismuth, cobalt, germanium, graphite, rare earth metals, tin, tungsten, vanadium and others. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 5 May 2023 In each, the FN303 fired a non-toxic brittle metal bismuth, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs. oregonlive, 14 Jan. 2022 Using more thermoelectrically efficient materials like bismuth telluride would boost the power output, but the advantage here is that the device is low cost, stretchable, and completely biodegradable. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bismuth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin bismuthum, modification of German Wismut

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bismuth was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near bismuth

Cite this Entry

“Bismuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bismuth. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bismuth

noun
bis·​muth ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio)
: a heavy brittle grayish white metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and is used in alloys and drugs see element

Medical Definition

bismuth

noun
bis·​muth ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio)
: a heavy brittle grayish white chiefly trivalent metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals
symbol Bi
see Chemical Elements Table
bismuthic adjective

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