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

Right, so the battery uses gelatin as the electrolyte, and magnesium and molybdenum as electrodes – both of which are relatively benign elements and can safely degrade in soil. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 28 Nov. 2025

This team focused on isotopes of iron, chromium, molybdenum, and zirconium found in 15 rock samples from Earth and six rocks collected from the moon by Apollo astronauts. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Using laser light of different colors, the Rice team studied how a two-layer Janus TMD—molybdenum sulfur selenide stacked on molybdenum disulfide—responded to illumination through a process called second harmonic generation (SHG). —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025

From food waste to sustainable aviation fuel: Cobalt molybdenum catalysis of pretreated hydrothermal liquefaction biocrude. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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