rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrō-dē-əm 

: a rare silvery-white hard ductile metallic element that is resistant to acids, sometimes occurs naturally in pure form but is usually obtained from nickel ores, and is used especially as a catalyst and in platinum alloys see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of rhodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Catalytic converters thefts Catalytic converters, which control exhaust emissions, are typically found in the undercarriage of a vehicle and contain precious metals including rhodium, palladium and platinum. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024

Often, there’s platinum, worth more than $1,000 an ounce, palladium, worth nearly as much, and rhodium, worth almost $5,000 per ounce. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

The automotive part meant to reduce smog caused by combustion engines has become a preferred target for criminals as the prices of the precious metals inside the component -- rhodium, platinum and palladium -- have skyrocketed in recent years. —Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 May 2024

The catalytic converter, an exhaust emission control device typically found in the undercarriage of a vehicle, contains precious metals like rhodium, palladium and platinum. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024

Also, the movement is beautiful, with a solid-gold rotor (for a-magnetism, in fact) plated in dark-gray rhodium to preserve the toolish look of this amazing dive watch. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 16 May 2024

The most popular type forces the exhaust through a ceramic honeycomb structure coated with a thin layer containing a precious metal such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium. —IEEE Spectrum, 27 Feb. 2024

Lastly, the slices are plated with rhodium, which provides a protective layer that wards off corrosion of the iron-rich meteorite. —Nancy Olson, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

The ring’s band and settings are made with sterling silver and plated rhodium, and the diamond-esque gemstone and mini gems on the initial are both cubic zirconia. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 20 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek rhódon "rose" + -ium; from the rose color of a chlorine compound of the metal obtained during its isolation

Note: Name introduced by the discoverer of the metal, William Hyde wollaston, in "On a new Metal, found in crude Platina," "read June 24, 1804," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London for the Year 1804, Part II, p. 419: "My inquiries having terminated more successfully than I had expected, I design the present Memoir to prove the existence, and to examine the properties, of another metal, hitherto unknown, which may not improperly be distinguished by the name of Rhodium, from the rose-colour of a solution of the salts containing it."

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrōd-ē-əm 

: a rare silvery white hard metallic element that is resistant to attack by acids, occurs in nickel ores, and is used in platinum alloys see element

Medical Definition

rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrōd-ē-əm 

: a white hard ductile metallic element that is resistant to attack by acids, occurs in platinum ores, and is used in alloys with platinum

—symbol Rh see Chemical Elements Table