metalloid

1 of 2

noun

met·​al·​loid ˈme-tə-ˌlȯid 

1

: an element intermediate in properties between the typical metals and nonmetals

2

: a nonmetal that can combine with a metal to form an alloy

metalloid

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly metalloidal

ˌme-tə-ˈlȯi-dᵊl 

1

: resembling a metal

2

: of, relating to, or being a metalloid

Examples of metalloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those were sent to a UA lab where they were analyzed for lead, arsenic and other heavy metals and metalloids. — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Additionally, most of the disposable e-cigarettes tested in the study were found to contain greater levels of metals and metalloids than older refillable vapes. — Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025

Additionally, the researchers found that disposable e-cigarettes contained antimony — a toxic metalloid — which wasn’t previously seen in older generations of e-cigarettes. — Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

China has retaliated by banning the export of strategically important metalloids like germanium. — Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

But in practice, ‘heavy metal’ is often used to refer to a subset of metals and metalloids with harmful effects on human health. — Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024

Antimony, a soft, shiny metalloid, is used in explosives, ammunition and now in semiconductors, solar panels and night vision gear. — Christopher Helman, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

The highest concentration of any metalloid found in the tampons overall was zinc. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

metall-, form in derivation of metal entry 1 + -oid entry 1, after German Metalloide & French métalloïde

Adjective

metall-, form in derivation of metal entry 1 + -oid entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

metalloid

noun

met·​al·​loid

ˈmet-ᵊl-ˌȯid

: an element that has some characteristics of metals and some of nonmetals

metalloid adjective

Medical Definition

metalloid

1 of 2 noun

met·​al·​loid ˈmet-ᵊl-ˌȯid 

: an element (as boron, silicon, or arsenic) intermediate in properties between the typical metals and nonmetals

metalloid

2 of 2 adjective

variants also metalloidal

ˌmet-ᵊl-ˈȯid-ᵊl 

1

: resembling a metal

2

: of, relating to, or being a metalloid