tungsten

noun

tung·​sten ˈtəŋ-stən 

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially in carbide materials and electrical components (such as lamp filaments) and in hardening alloys (such as steel) see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tungsten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What To Know Among these metals, tungsten poses the greatest strategic vulnerability. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Beijing also announced an investigation into Google for alleged antitrust violations and export controls on items related to tungsten and other rare earth elements that are critical components of tech products. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025

By 1953, this enabled the U.S. to import high-grade tungsten from the mine. —Duncan Money / Made By History, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025

In the case where the head size of the jig looks the same, a lead head may weigh 1/4 ounce, while the tungsten is a 1/2 ounce. —Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 7 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Swedish, from tung heavy + sten stone

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tungsten

noun

tung·​sten ˈtəŋ-stən 

: a gray-white heavy hard metallic element that has many characteristics similar to chromium and molybdenum and is used especially for electrical purposes and to harden metal alloys (as steel) see element

Etymology

from Swedish tungsten, literally "heavy stone," from tung "heavy" and sten "stone"

Medical Definition

tungsten

noun

tung·​sten ˈtəŋ-stən 

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially for electrical purposes and in hardening alloys (as steel)

—symbol W

called also wolfram

see Chemical Elements Table