iron oxide

noun

: any of several oxides of iron: such as
b
: the monoxide FeO of iron

Examples of iron oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Located in the Navajo Nation near Page, Ariz., the slot canyon’s warm colors come from iron oxide, or rust, in the sandstone. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 8 Feb. 2024 Martian Iron Should Be Readily Available Mars’ natural red landscape is due to copious amounts of iron oxide, basically, what we earthlings call rust. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 While the red color comes from the iron oxides present, there are a lot of other materials in it, some of which can be toxic. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024 Early Arctic explorers initially thought red algae was to blame, while later researchers suggested iron oxides. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023 Another likely contained a benzene ring associated with iron oxides. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023 Ochre can turn red when the iron oxide is heated and the water evaporates inside the ochre therefore turning yellow ochre into red or brunt ochre. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 Relative to the Earth, the Moon has a lot more iron oxide, which suggests that Theia also had a lot of this material. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2023 The dust particles consist of iron oxide, the same chemical as rust. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of iron oxide was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near iron oxide

Cite this Entry

“Iron oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iron%20oxide. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

iron oxide

noun
: any of the oxides of iron
especially : ferric oxide

Medical Definition

iron oxide

noun
: any of several oxides of iron
especially : ferric oxide

More from Merriam-Webster on iron oxide

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