praseodymium

noun

pra·​seo·​dym·​i·​um ˌprā-zē-ō-ˈdi-mē-əm How to pronounce praseodymium (audio)
ˌprā-sē-
: a yellowish-white metallic element of the rare-earth group used especially in alloys and in the form of its salts in coloring glass greenish yellow see Chemical Elements Table

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Making the next element, praseodymium, actually moves the newest electron in the fifth circle to the fourth, and adds one more. Stanley Merzman, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2018 Two other rare-earth metals, neodymium and praseodymium, work their magic at the other end of the spectrum. Hugh Aldersey-williams, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2011 China processes more than half of the world’s cobalt, lithium, and the class of rare-earth elements (REEs) that includes neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium, and terbium . . . Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 12 Mar. 2022 The transition to renewable energy is also fueling global demand for specific natural resources such as neodymium and praseodymium, rare earth metals found in relative abundance in the Arctic. Daria Solovieva, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2021 Neodymium and praseodymium, used in permanent magnets, make up a smaller share. Mary Hui, Quartz, 15 July 2021 NdPr is short for neodymium-praseodymium, an alloy of two light rare earth elements that’s used in permanent magnets. Mary Hui, Quartz, 26 July 2021 Some of that neodymium can be replaced by another light rare earth, praseodymium (Pr). Mary Hui, Quartz, 14 May 2021 The remainder are mostly produced by Japan, which sources most of its neodymium and praseodymium from the Australian rare earth giant Lynas, the world’s largest miner and processor of rare earths outside of China. Mary Hui, Quartz, 14 May 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'praseodymium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of praseodidymium, irregular from Greek prasios, adjective + New Latin didymium didymium

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of praseodymium was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near praseodymium

Cite this Entry

“Praseodymium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/praseodymium. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

praseodymium

noun
pra·​seo·​dym·​i·​um ˌprā-zē-ō-ˈdim-ē-əm How to pronounce praseodymium (audio)
: a yellowish white metallic element used especially in alloys and in coloring glass greenish yellow see element

Medical Definition

praseodymium

noun
pra·​seo·​dym·​i·​um ˌprā-zē-ō-ˈdim-ē-əm How to pronounce praseodymium (audio) ˌprā-sē- How to pronounce praseodymium (audio)
: a yellowish white trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group
symbol Pr
see Chemical Elements Table

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