vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnā-dē-əm 

: 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

The battery also highlights the advantages of vanadium flow batteries for long-duration applications. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025

Other grid-scale battery chemistries and approaches are in development, such as sodium-based, iron-air, and vanadium redox flow batteries. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 Dec. 2025

Each steel contains different chemical elements, such as molybdenum and vanadium, which are mined only in a few countries. —Peter Müllner, The Conversation, 10 Dec. 2025

Chrome molybdenum and chrome vanadium steels are both steel alloys that are used in high-end tools. —Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing vanadium

• vanadium pentoxide

Rhymes for vanadium

• palladium
• radium
• stadium

Kids Definition

vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm 

: 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 

: 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