zinc

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
: a bluish-white metallic element that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel see Chemical Elements Table

zinc

2 of 2

verb

zinced or zincked ˈziŋ(k)t How to pronounce zinc (audio) ; zincing or zincking ˈziŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce zinc (audio)

transitive verb

: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize

Examples of zinc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
How to treat seborrheic dermatitis The most effective way to treat seborrheic dermatitis is by using an anti-dandruff shampoo that contains ingredients like ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and salicylic acid. Krissy Brady, SELF, 5 Mar. 2024 Can taking a zinc supplement ensure that your injection goes the distance? Korin Miller, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 On Halloween weekend in 1948, two dozen people suffocated to death in the city of Donora, Pennsylvania, when a windless weather pattern made pollution from the local zinc plant stall over the town. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024 After discovery of minerals in the area in the late 1870s, nearly 3 million ounces of gold and 8 billion pounds of copper, along with silver, lead and zinc were mined out of Bisbee, according to the Bisbee Visitor Center website. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2024 In the study, participants were given either 50 milligrams of zinc citrate and 3,000 PU of the enzyme phytase, 10 milligrams of zinc gluconate, or a placebo.4 Patients who took the zinc gluconate or placebo didn’t see any sort of difference in how long their Botox lasted. Korin Miller, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 Each set includes zinc chains, fasteners, and an assortment of nuts and bolts for installation. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024 Saltwater is rich with minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium, which all help reduce inflammation, protect the skin, and heal any scrapes, cuts, or sores. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 Chicken also has the advantage of being low in calories and a good source of amino acids and nutrients like vitamin B12, zinc and iron. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zinc.' 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

Noun

German Zink

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zinc was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near zinc

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

zinc

noun
ˈziŋk
: a bluish white metallic element that is commonly found in minerals and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating for iron and steel see element

Medical Definition

zinc

noun
: a bluish white crystalline bivalent metallic element of low to intermediate hardness that is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals
symbol Zn
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on zinc

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