tellurium

noun

tel·​lu·​ri·​um tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm How to pronounce tellurium (audio)
te-
: a semimetallic element that occurs in a silvery-white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys and catalysts see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tellurium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web However, glass made, in part, from the element tellurium (two down and two over from silicon on the periodic table) has a peculiar and newly-discovered property. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Feb. 2024 In the debris, JWST spotted tellurium atoms (52 protons), which confirms that neutron star mergers can forge the rather heavy elements toward the end of the fifth row of the periodic table. Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023 Two decades ago, combinations such as lead and tellurium yielded ZT values of around 1. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Dec. 2023 These are made up of one of more than a dozen transition metals (M) along with one of the three chalcogenides (X): sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2020 In Utah, a mine has begun producing tellurium. Dionne Searcey Arin Yoon, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023 Even tellurium itself is a kind of mirage. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022 Another close call is tellurium, which is used in industrial solar farms and where there may be only slightly more estimated resources than what would be required in a big green push. Seth Borenstein, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Jan. 2023 Four of the elements are named after planets (Earth – in the form of tellurium, Mercury, Neptune and Uranus). Mark Lorch, Discover Magazine, 9 June 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tellurium.' 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, from Latin tellur-, tellus earth

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tellurium was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near tellurium

Cite this Entry

“Tellurium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tellurium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tellurium

noun
tel·​lu·​ri·​um tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm How to pronounce tellurium (audio)
te-
: an element that occurs in a silvery white brittle form having a metallic shine or in combination with metals and is used especially in alloys and catalysts see element

Medical Definition

tellurium

noun
tel·​lu·​ri·​um tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm, te- How to pronounce tellurium (audio)
: a semimetallic element related to selenium and sulfur that occurs in a silvery white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys
symbol Te
see Chemical Elements Table

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