antimony

noun

an·ti·mo·ny ˈan-tə-ˌmō-nē

: stibnite

: a trivalent and pentavalent metalloid element with atomic number 51 that commonly occurs in a brittle, metallic, silvery white crystalline form and that is used especially in alloys, semiconductors, and flame-retardant substances see Chemical Elements Table

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The pipe was composed largely of lead, but contained enough antimony to potentially sicken those drinking from it. —

Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2017 The researchers analyzed the ice cores for different trace elements — such as lead, antimony, arsenic, bismuth and molybdenum — that may have been floating around the atmosphere during different points in time. —

Sarah Kollmorgen, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2016 As the lakebed becomes exposed, toxic dust mixed with metals and metalloids like antimony, copper, zirconium and arsenic become a problem, per Live Science. —

Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2023 Current treatments include cutterage or cryotherapy, topical ointments, and local and systemic use of pentavelent antimony which can be rather toxic (7). —

Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2011 Lithium mines use a lot of water—many thousands of gallons per minute, according to The New York Times—and groundwater contamination with antimony and arsenic are a real and persistent threat. —

Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 6 Jan. 2023 With antimony, however, nearly half the electrons passed right across the barrier. —

Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2010 While 83 percent of the world’s antimony production is in China, there are large reserves of it in the US, Australia, Turkey, and Bolivia. —

Doug Johnson, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2022 According to a July 20 Seattle King 5 report, Ulis noticed that three pieces of an alloy made of titanium and antimony, two Earth elements, are among those particles. —

Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 28 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antimony.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antimonie, from Medieval Latin antimonium

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of antimony was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Antimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antimony. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

antimony

noun

an·ti·mo·ny ˈant-ə-ˌmō-nē

: a metallic silvery white element that is used especially in alloys and medicine see element

Medical Definition

antimony

noun

an·ti·mo·ny ˈant-ə-ˌmō-nē

plural antimonies

: a trivalent and pentavalent metalloid element that is commonly metallic silvery white, crystalline, and brittle and is used especially in alloys and semiconductors and in medicine as a constituent of various antiprotozoal agents (as tartar emetic)

—symbol Sb see Chemical Elements Table