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

These are aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium and aluminum sesquichlorohydrate. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 May 2026

Dentatur uses high-quality materials such as E-max and zirconium to achieve a natural look that blends seamlessly with natural teeth. —K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

The timepiece is constructed from white zirconium oxide ceramic and Ceratanium—an IWC proprietary material that combines the lightweight strength of titanium with the hardness of ceramic—ensuring durability and resistance to extreme temperature fluctuations. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026

The researchers successfully applied their strategy to a variety of electrolytes — including those based on zirconium, indium, yttrium, and erbium — achieving consistent results across the board. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Apr. 2026

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

• conium
• carbonium
• harmonium
• meconium
• phosphonium
• plutonium
• polonium
• stramonium
• 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