: 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
: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize
Examples of zinc in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Red meat can be a valuable source of important nutrients, including zinc, iron, protein, and vitamin B12.
—Roxana Ehsani, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Turkey is slightly leaner and a better source of zinc.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
No figures for Ukraine’s reserves of these elements were available in early 2025, with the exception of zinc, whose reserves have been estimated at around 6.1 million tons, putting Ukraine among the top 10 nations for zinc.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
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Noun
The restaurant has a classy bar made of zinc and imported from France.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Red meat can be a valuable source of important nutrients, including zinc, iron, protein, and vitamin B12.
—Roxana Ehsani, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Turkey is slightly leaner and a better source of zinc.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
No figures for Ukraine’s reserves of these elements were available in early 2025, with the exception of zinc, whose reserves have been estimated at around 6.1 million tons, putting Ukraine among the top 10 nations for zinc.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zinc
Cite this Entry
“Zinc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zinc. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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