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

Both elements belong to the same group of periodic metals known as platinum group metals (PGMs), which also includes ruthenium, rhodium, osmium and iridium. —Victor Rosario, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

For years, the unit was busy investigating cases of people stealing catalytic converters from cars for their metal components like platinum, palladium and rhodium. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2025

The movement components feature a variety of finishes, including circular graining, sandblasting, and black rhodium coating, creating a visually striking contrast with the white case. —Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

The lime green gemstone is set atop 925 silver plater with white rhodium and 18K gold. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

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

Rhymes for rhodium

• odium
• podium
• sodium
• chenopodium
• lycopodium
• monosodium
• polypodium
• desmodium
• disodium
• plasmodium
• propodeum
• trisodium

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