tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtan-tə-ləm 

: a gray-white ductile acid-resisting metallic element found combined in rare minerals (such as tantalite and columbite) and used especially in electronic components see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tantalum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This work, which first focused on critical minerals including indium, gallium, and tantalum, has been licensed to Metallium, a mineral exploration company in Western Australia. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025

Researchers have also pointed out that the team is also exploring the use of punicin derivatives for recovering other lithium EnAMs, such as lithium manganates, as well as valuable minerals like copper or tantalum. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Parallel to this, AI, quantum computing and advanced technologies often depend on specialized materials like gallium, germanium and tantalum. —Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Burundi holds reserves of gold, tantalum, tin, and rare earths, but exporting them efficiently has been a challenge. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Tantalus; from its inability to absorb acid

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm 

: a gray-white metallic element found in rare minerals and used especially in electronic devices see element

Medical Definition

tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm 

: a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting metallic element of the vanadium family found combined in rare minerals and sometimes used in surgical implants and sutures

—symbol Ta see Chemical Elements Table