vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnā-dē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a silvery-grayish malleable ductile metallic element obtained from minerals and used especially to form alloys and in catalysts see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of vanadium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prudent Energy's Li observed that vanadium is readily available; it is used in steel manufacturing and can be recovered from ash. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Mar. 2013 Patrick Ruch, a colleague of Michel's at IBM in Zurich, and others are examining vanadium as a potential electrolyte for a redox flow battery. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2013 Meanwhile, a German vanadium flow battery innovator has teamed up with an American vanadium electrolyte producer in a strategic alliance. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Mar. 2013 The majority were for uranium and vanadium, minerals that are in demand again, now that a new nuclear arms race is on, and tech companies are looking for fresh ways to power the AI revolution. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vanadium

Word History

Etymology

latinization of Swedish Vanadin, from Old Norse Vanadīs, epithet of the goddess Freya (from vana-, stem of vanr, one of the Vanir + dís "woman, female supernatural being") + Swedish -in -in entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vanadium was in 1833

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Cite this Entry

“Vanadium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanadium. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

vanadium

noun
va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a grayish metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as of steel) see element

Medical Definition

vanadium

noun
va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a grayish malleable ductile polyvalent metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as vanadium steel)
symbol V
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on vanadium

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