zinc

1 of 2

noun

: a bluish-white metallic element with atomic number 30 that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel
often used before another noun
a zinc coating
zinc additives
see Chemical Elements Table

zinc

2 of 2

verb

zinced or zincked ˈziŋ(k)t How to pronounce zinc (audio) ; zincing or zincking ˈziŋ-kiŋ How to pronounce zinc (audio)

transitive verb

: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize

Examples of zinc 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.
Noun
There was no shower, so my mother would pour hot kettles of water into a small zinc basin on the floor of the kitchen. Wal Van Lierop, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Among notable industrial sites, the research team identified key mineral extraction operations, including Alaska's remote Red Dog Mine, which was recognized as the world's second-largest zinc producer as of 2018. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 The two zinc cable ends magnetically stick together and can carry up to 60 watts, which can even slowly juice up a MacBook Pro. Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 Yet multiple essential nutrients (e.g. iron, copper, and zinc) could be considered part of the same group by periodic property, and literal heaviness dictates nothing inherent about a material’s toxicity. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for zinc 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Zink

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zinc was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near zinc

Cite this Entry

“Zinc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zinc. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

zinc

noun
ˈziŋk
: a bluish white metallic element that is commonly found in minerals and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating for iron and steel see element

Medical Definition

zinc

noun
: a bluish-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 30 that is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals
symbol Zn
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on zinc

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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