zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm 

: a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used especially in alloys and in refractories and ceramics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of zirconium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kyiv School of Economics estimates that the country hosts deposits of 20 out of the 50 critical raw materials, including titanium, lithium and zirconium. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025

Greenland has substantial reserves of metals like lithium, niobium, and zirconium, which are used for producing batteries, as well as rare earth elements that are considered vital for the green energy transition, but which China currently enjoys a near monopoly over. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

This example on offer from A Collected Man features a black dial and a zirconium case, and is the most sober configuration built by MB&F. —Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024

The 20% aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex for sweat and odor protection is also key to stopping sweat at the source. —Sarah Madaus, Allure, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary zircon

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing zirconium

• cubic zirconium

Rhymes for zirconium

• carbonium
• harmonium
• meconium
• plutonium
• polonium
• stramonium
• conium
• diazonium
• pandemonium
• pelargonium
• testimonium

Kids Definition

zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm 

: a steel-gray strong metallic element with a high melting point that is used especially in combination with other metals see element

Medical Definition

zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um (ˌ)zər-ˈkō-nē-əm 

: a steel-gray strong ductile chiefly tetravalent metallic element with a high melting point

—symbol Zr see Chemical Elements Table