boron

noun bo·ron \ ˈbȯr-ˌän \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of boron

: a trivalent metalloid element found in nature only in combination and used especially in glass and detergents — see Chemical Elements Table

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boronic

play \bȯr-ˈä-nik\ adjective

See boron defined for kids

Recent Examples of boron from the Web

For example, a few nitrogen atoms among a diamond’s millions of carbon atoms can make the rock appear yellow or brown, while blue diamonds have been besmirched with a few boron atoms.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Diamonds," 23 Mar. 2018
Lead, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, thallium, and uranium are among the chemicals and heavy metals listed with coal ash deposits.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "An Indiana county is paying a steep price for burying toxic coal ash," 18 May 2018
Groundwater monitoring The department, at the request of a commenter, added boron to the list of contaminants that must be monitored at CCR sites and increased the required background monitoring.

— dennis pillion, AL.com, "Alabama passed state coal ash rules: What's in them?," 25 Apr. 2018
All three types of crystals that the team studied—calcite, a form of calcium carbonate; cordierite, an iron- and magnesium-rich silicate; and tourmaline, a boron-rich silicate—worked well at intervals of 3 hours or less.

— sid perkins, Science | AAAS, "Viking seafarers may have navigated with legendary crystals," 3 Apr. 2018
Previous tests done by Marion County health officials showed elevated levels of boron in their well, but not above safe drinking water standards.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "New reports: Contaminants from coal ash at levels 40 times above safe drinking water standards," 28 Mar. 2018
For example, the glue in cardboard boxes and paper bags contains boron, an element that can inhibit plant growth at excessive levels.

— kym pokorny, OregonLive.com, "Sweep wood ash from the fireplace to the garden," 20 Mar. 2018
If there are direct pathways, the health effects are certain: The damage that arsenic, boron, chromium, and radon can do to humans is well-established in scientific literature.

— emily atkin, The New Republic, "Is Coal Waste Leaching Into America’s Drinking Water?," 12 Mar. 2018
Other trace elements include iron, manganese, zinc, boron, molybdenum and chlorine.

— amy hall, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Growing season ahead depends on proper feeding," 7 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of boron

borax + -on (as in carbon)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1812

in the meaning defined above

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BORON Defined for Kids

boron

noun bo·ron \ ˈbȯr-ˌän \

Definition of boron for Students

: a powdery or hard solid chemical element that is used especially in making glass and detergents

Medical Dictionary

boron

noun bo·ron \ ˈbō(ə)r-ˌän, ˈbȯ(ə)r- \

medical Definition of boron

: a trivalent metalloid element found in nature only in combination and used in metallurgy and in composite structural materials —symbol B — see Chemical Elements Table

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