tellurium

noun tel·lu·ri·um \ tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm , te- \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Definition of tellurium

: a semimetallic element that occurs in a silvery-white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys and catalysts — see Chemical Elements Table

See tellurium defined for kids

Recent Examples of tellurium from the Web

The list also includes elements crucial to alternative forms of energy, such as tellurium found in solar panels and lithium used in batteries in electric cars and cellphones.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Trump talks a lot about coal. But his administration just named 35 'critical minerals'," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tellurium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tellurium

New Latin, from Latin tellur-, tellus earth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1800

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

tellurium

noun tel·lu·ri·um \ tə-ˈlu̇r-ē-əm, te- \

medical Definition of tellurium

: a semimetallic element related to selenium and sulfur that occurs in a silvery white brittle crystalline form of metallic luster, in a dark amorphous form, or combined with metals and that is used especially in alloys —symbol Te — see Chemical Elements Table