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

Soil testing: In the May 4 A Section, an article about toxic substances found in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones included an illustration that gave the atomic number of molybdenum as 40. —Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

In 2024, Arizona exported $304 million in molybdenum to the EU (89% of its exports to the world). —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025

The steel blade is hard, a 59 HRC, with a mix of chromium, carbon, molybdenum, and vanadium. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 2 May 2025

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

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