molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 

: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of molybdenum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nye said decades of historical records indicate the mine has significant quantities of tungsten, silver and molybdenum, a metal often used to strengthen others. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024

OnePlus achieved the Open's impressive design with a unique blend of metals like titanium and cobalt molybdenum alloys. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Oct. 2023

The mound of waste began leaching arsenic and other harmful materials — including chromium, boron, molybdenum and more — into the water supply. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 30 May 2024

If the deficiency symptoms appear on older leaves first, then the deficiency symptoms are possibly caused by one of the nutrients that are mobile in plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, or molybdenum. —Dr. Haiying Tao, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite, molybdenum, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molybdaina, from molybdos lead

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing molybdenum

• molybdenum disulfide

Kids Definition

molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 

: a metallic element used in steel alloys to give greater strength and hardness see element

Medical Definition

molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num -də-nəm 

: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism

—symbol Mo see Chemical Elements Table