titanium

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noun ti·ta·ni·um \tī-ˈtā-nē-əm, tə- also -ˈta-nē-əm, -ˈtan-yəm\

Definition of titanium

: a silvery-gray light strong metallic element obtained from ilmenite and rutile and used especially in alloys and combined in refractory materials, pigments, and coatings — see element table

See titanium defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of titanium from the Web

The cooling system will also include two-speed pumps and four radiators made of titanium tubes with aluminum fins a mere two hundredths of an inch thick.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Robust Cooling System of a NASA Spacecraft Flying Into the Sun's Atmosphere", 27 June 2017
Juniors and seniors operate machinery the local orthopedic companies helped fund, shaping titanium rods into polished discs.

— danielle paquette, Alaska Dispatch News, "In one slice of the Midwest, a labor shortage weighs on the economy", 21 June 2017
Rubin's upcoming gadget, dubbed the Essential phone, resembles the popular Apple (aapl, -3.26%) iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S8 but is made of titanium and ceramics.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Why Andy Rubin Is Going Exclusive With His Essential Phone", 12 June 2017
Last December, facial cancer caused doctors to construct a titanium jaw for Thompson.

— don norcross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "She's 94 years old and ready to run in Sunday's half marathon", 1 June 2017
The sides of the phone are made with titanium, which Rubin's company claims is impervious to scratches and dents.

— mark gurman, chicagotribune.com, "Android's creator is back with his own smartphone, the Essential Phone", 30 May 2017
This is grand entertainment with rousing action, sparkling humor, a romantic streak and a titanium-strength debut from Gal Gadot in the title role.

— david frese, kansascity.com, "Early reviews of ‘Wonder Woman’ are mostly wonderful", 30 May 2017
The phone has an edge-to-edge 5.7-inch display, a titanium body that’s supposed to withstand a drop better than an Apple iPhone and simple styling.

— hayley tsukayama, latimes.com, "Creator of Android unveils his vision of the ultimate smartphone", 30 May 2017
The officer also had to get a titanium plate permanently affixed in his face.

— associated press, Washington Post, "Man serving life sentence guilty of beating prison officer", 27 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of titanium

New Latin, from Greek Titan

NEW!

First Known Use: 1796

See Words from the same year

TITANIUM Defined for English Language Learners

titanium

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noun

Definition of titanium for English Language Learners

: a very strong and light silvery metal

Medical Dictionary

titanium

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noun ti·ta·ni·um \tī-ˈtān-ē-əm, tə- also -ˈtan-\

Medical Definition of titanium

: a silvery gray light strong metallic element found combined in ilmenite and rutile and used especially in alloys (as steel) and combined in refractory materials and in coatings—symbol Ti; see element table