titanium

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

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

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 Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of titanium from the Web

EcoKarat sells and repairs silver, gold, stainless steel, titanium and tungsten jewelry, like watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.

— caitlin mullen, chicagotribune.com, "Back in business: EcoKarat jewelry shop returns to the Downtown Oak Park business district," 30 May 2018
My titanium wheelchair, customized Adidas, and Prada.

— jane larkworthy, The Cut, "Francesco Clark of Clark’s Botanicals Wants Everyone to Wake Up," 23 May 2018
As the engine gets older, the blades of the fan (scimitar shaped, hollow, and made of a titanium alloy) may become more brittle and begin to crack.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "How a cracked fan blade (probably) ended a decade of no US air travel fatalities," 18 Apr. 2018
My diagnosis was followed by extractions, titanium implants in my jaw, installation of porcelain teeth on the implants, bone grafts, a series of gum surgeries — and that was just the beginning.

— Washington Post, "When Is Insurance Not Really Insurance? When You Need Pricey Dental Care.," 22 May 2018
The 22-gram titanium Muncher is a versatile backpacking companion.

— Outside Online, "The Best Knives and Multitools of 2018," 15 May 2018
Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao, the instantly iconic art museum formed by sweeping, curvilinear slashes of titanium facade, opened in 1997.

— kyle chayka, The New Republic, "From architect to tastemaker, Bjarke Ingels is designing the future.," 2 May 2018
An entire town makes a living off titanium sales to Boeing.

— anton troianovski, Washington Post, "Sanctions, Syria hit home in Russia, but people aren’t turning against Putin," 27 Apr. 2018
This bowl from Snow Peak fits perfectly inside their three-piece titanium cook set for easy packing.

— emily reed, Outside Online, "The Best Deals on Outdoor Gear and Clothing," 26 Apr. 2018

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

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First Known Use: 1796

in the meaning defined above

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TITANIUM Defined for English Language Learners

titanium

noun

Definition of titanium for English Language Learners

: a very strong and light silvery metal

Medical Dictionary

titanium

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 Chemical Elements Table