molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 

: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of molybdenum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Idaho also contains large deposits of molybdenum, tungsten, and niobium, and possesses the only single source of cobalt in the Western Hemisphere—all critical minerals for military readiness and technological advancement. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

Chinese state newspaper the Global Times also announced export controls on items related to tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

When the Climax molybdenum mine effectively shut down in the 1980s, leaving only skeleton staff on site, thousands of miners lost their jobs. —John Meyer, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025

The Rio Tinto Kennecott website says the facility mines copper, gold, silver, molybdenum and tellurium. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite, molybdenum, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molybdaina, from molybdos lead

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing molybdenum

• molybdenum disulfide

Kids Definition

molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 

: a metallic element used in steel alloys to give greater strength and hardness see element

Medical Definition

molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num -də-nəm 

: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism

—symbol Mo see Chemical Elements Table