niobium

noun

ni·​o·​bi·​um nī-ˈō-bē-əm 

: a lustrous light gray ductile metallic element that resembles tantalum chemically and is used in alloys see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of niobium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare earth elements are recovered as a by-product from Bayan Obo’s polymetallic ore, which also contains fluorite, niobium, scandium and thorium. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

New copper substitutes, like ultra-conductive aluminum, carbon nanotubes, and niobium phosphide, are promising but still in their infancy. — Adam Charles Simon, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Niobe; from its occurrence in tantalite

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for niobium

• dendrobium
• rhizobium
• haematobium

Kids Definition

niobium

noun

ni·​o·​bi·​um nī-ˈō-bē-əm 

: a shiny gray metallic element used in alloys see element

Medical Definition

niobium

noun

ni·​o·​bi·​um nī-ˈō-bē-əm 

: a lustrous light gray ductile metallic element that resembles tantalum chemically and is used in alloys

—symbol Nb

called also columbium

see Chemical Elements Table