cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

1

: a magnetic metallic element that is used especially in alloys, in batteries, and as a pigment in paint and glass see Chemical Elements Table

2

: cobalt blue sense 2

Did you know?

The metallic element "cobalt" ultimately draws its name from folklore. In Middle High German, "kobolt" denoted a usually helpful household elf that engaged in nasty pranks only when it was offended. Later, early Modern German Kobold came to refer to a variety of less helpful goblins inhabiting fields and mountains. The variant "Kobolt" in the 16th century was applied by German miners to ores containing the metal cobalt, which they considered to be worthless; they believed that mountain goblins had spoiled adjacent silver ores, or had stolen the silver within the ore. The metal itself in relatively pure form was not produced and described until the 17th century, when "cobalt," with its first letter influenced by New Latin cobaltum, became part of the international language of science.

Examples of cobalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the cobalt mining industry has drawn significant attention due to its hazardous working conditions and environmental degradation. —Essence, 9 July 2024

China has also managed to secure control of large shares of the cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nickel mines in Indonesia. —Daniel Baer, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024

The cobalt market has been overwhelmed by a record glut as Chinese companies boost their output, with the surplus of the key electric car battery metal set to last until 2028, according to an influential market report. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2024

The analysis looked for concentrations of arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium and zinc. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Kobalt, alteration of Kobold, literally, goblin, from Middle High German kobolt; from its occurrence in silver ore, believed to be due to goblins

First Known Use

circa 1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cobalt

• cobalt blue
• cobalt chloride

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Kids Definition

cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

: a tough shiny silver-white magnetic metallic element that is found with iron and nickel and is used especially in alloys see element

Etymology

from German Kobalt "cobalt," an altered form of Kobold, literally, "goblin"; so called because its appearance in silver ore was thought to have been the work of goblins who left it in place of silver which they stole

Medical Definition

cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

: a tough lustrous silver-white magnetic metallic element that is related to and occurs with iron and nickel and is used especially in alloys

—symbol Co see Chemical Elements Table