thermite

noun

ther·​mite ˈthər-ˌmīt How to pronounce thermite (audio)
: a mixture of aluminum powder and a metal oxide (such as iron oxide) that when ignited evolves a great deal of heat and is used in welding and in incendiary bombs

Examples of thermite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Red residue consistent with thermite was found on his clothing. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Jami then traveled to a Monroe residence and constructed an incendiary device, using thermite, sparklers and a ceramic pot. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Concerns expressed by other Russian politicians regarding the long-term health impact on Ukraine are especially risible after Russia’s military has rained clouds of incendiary thermite on populated areas and employed thermobaric weapons with massive lethal blast radiuses in cities. Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023 The tiny projectiles were reported to have left the Earth-Moon system after their thermite fuel discharged and shot toward parts unknown. John Wenz, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2018 This is a game as much about being able to think clearly under pressure as anything else, but it’s also about knowing where to lay down a thermite or gas grenade, whether or not to equip a Stim, and when to slide in fast or take a corner slow. Erik Kain, Forbes, 12 Nov. 2021 For each explosion, the pyrotechnist produced a custom thermite mix from his extensive chemical library, wrapped it in nitrocellulose (flash paper), suspended it from a wire, and lit the fuse. Wired, 31 Oct. 2019 In the future, the photographer plans to test out more exotic thermites like bismuth trioxide and manganese dioxide. Wired, 31 Oct. 2019 Homemade thermite can destroy washing machines or make a hole in a frozen lake. David Hambling, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thermite.' 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

therm- + -ite entry 1

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermite was in 1900

Dictionary Entries Near thermite

Cite this Entry

“Thermite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermite. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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