zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used especially in alloys and in refractories and ceramics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of zirconium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Creating the case hues is a surprisingly technical process, one that necessitates collaborating with engineers through multiple pigment tests, each of which requires mixing the ceramic zirconium oxide with metallic oxides to achieve the perfect shade. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2022 These include aluminum chloride, aluminum trichloride, aluminum hexahydrate, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycine, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine, aluminum chlorohydrate, and aluminum hydroxy bromide. Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023 The fuel pellets inside the fuel rods are almost entirely UO2 while the fuel rods in which the pellets are placed is made of zirconium alloys. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2013 The heat can continue building as the fuel rods melt, eventually forming an entirely molten body that is a mix of the UO2 from the fuel pellets and the zirconium alloy of the casing. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2013 Our winning pick, Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid contains a 20% concentration of aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine. Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023 Fused from zirconium, oxygen, and silicon, the crystals sometimes contain other elements, such as uranium. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023 While fresh scents may help with the masking part, various types of aluminum, (namely aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium and aluminium chlorohydrate) are in charge of the minimizing part. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023 These leftover body oils can also bind with the aluminum and zirconium in antiperspirants, which can cause added yellowing and staining over time, according to Sammy Wang, MS, Tide's Senior Scientist. Joseph Cheatham, Men's Health, 14 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zirconium.' 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 International Scientific Vocabulary zircon

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zirconium was in 1808

Dictionary Entries Near zirconium

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

zirconium

noun
zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray strong metallic element with a high melting point that is used especially in combination with other metals see element

Medical Definition

zirconium

noun
zir·​co·​ni·​um (ˌ)zər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray strong ductile chiefly tetravalent metallic element with a high melting point
symbol Zr
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on zirconium

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