chromium

noun

chro·​mi·​um ˈkrō-mē-əm 

: a blue-white metallic element found naturally only in combination and used especially in alloys and in electroplating see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of chromium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Concentrations of beryllium, copper, chromium, nickel and lead in particular were significantly above established safety thresholds for marine life, prompting fears for the long-term health of fish, marine mammals and the marine food chain. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

In 1980 Simon publicly bet Ehrlich that prices of five important industrial raw materials – copper, nickel, tungsten, chromium and tin – would fall rather than rise over the next decade. —The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

The chromium in the pan can react to high temperatures, leading to rainbow coloring on stainless steel. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026

The French mint reformulated its protective varnish after the European Union restricted chromium trioxide, a toxic chemical previously used to prevent corrosion. —Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

chrome entry 1 + -ium

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chromium

• chromium picolinate

Rhymes for chromium

• ferrochromium
• prostomium

Kids Definition

chromium

noun

chro·​mi·​um ˈkrō-mē-əm 

: a blue-white metallic element found in nature only in combination and used especially in alloys and in chrome plating see element

Medical Definition

chromium

noun

chro·​mi·​um ˈkrō-mē-əm 

: a blue-white metallic element found naturally only in combination and used especially in alloys and in electroplating

—symbol Cr see Chemical Elements Table