tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtan-tə-ləm How to pronounce tantalum (audio)
: a gray-white ductile acid-resisting metallic element found combined in rare minerals (such as tantalite and columbite) and used especially in electronic components see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tantalum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parallel to this, AI, quantum computing and advanced technologies often depend on specialized materials like gallium, germanium and tantalum. Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Burundi holds reserves of gold, tantalum, tin, and rare earths, but exporting them efficiently has been a challenge. Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Previous studies managed to reach this mixed state in tantalum disulfide by using ultrashort laser or voltage pulses. Meghie Rodrigues, IEEE Spectrum, 23 July 2025 Astana has said that duties will not affect 95 percent of Kazakhstan's exports to the United States, including oil, uranium, silver, metal alloys, tantalum, and titanium 7. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tantalum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Tantalus; from its inability to absorb acid

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tantalum was in 1809

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tantalum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tantalum. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

tantalum

noun
tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm How to pronounce tantalum (audio)
: a gray-white metallic element found in rare minerals and used especially in electronic devices see element

Medical Definition

tantalum

noun
tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm How to pronounce tantalum (audio)
: a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting metallic element of the vanadium family found combined in rare minerals and sometimes used in surgical implants and sutures
symbol Ta
see Chemical Elements Table

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