tungsten

noun tung·sten \ ˈtəŋ-stən \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of tungsten

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially in carbide materials and electrical components (such as lamp filaments) and in hardening alloys (such as steel) — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of tungsten from the Web

Harry Daghlian, another physicist at Los Alamos, had attempted a similar experiment the previous year using tungsten-carbide bricks instead of a beryllium dome.

— julian g. west, The Atlantic, "The Atomic-Bomb Core That Escaped World War II," 2 Apr. 2018
The springs that lofted the truck so high had the compressibility of tungsten.

— Car and Driver, "The Battle of the Off-Road Beaters: Ford F-150 Custom vs. Geo Tracker, Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery," 30 Nov. 2016
Most were caught within a foot or two of the bottom on small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Devils Lake yellow perch fulfill jumbo dreams of Wisconsin anglers," 27 Jan. 2018
Later, the area was an important source of tungsten, but the last shaft closed in 1993.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "What needs to happen before electric cars take over the world," 25 Dec. 2017
Later, the area was an important source of tungsten, but the last shaft closed in 1993.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "What needs to happen before electric cars take over the world," 25 Dec. 2017
Later, the area was an important source of tungsten, but the last shaft closed in 1993.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "What needs to happen before electric cars take over the world," 25 Dec. 2017
An incandescent bulb is built around a tungsten wire, called a filament, and produces light when the filament is heated.

— dale kasler, sacbee, "Traditional lightbulbs set to vanish from California store shelves starting Jan. 1," 22 Dec. 2017
Later, the area was an important source of tungsten, but the last shaft closed in 1993.

— jack ewing, New York Times, "What Needs to Happen Before Electric Cars Take Over the World," 18 Dec. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of tungsten

Swedish, from tung heavy + sten stone

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First Known Use: 1796

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TUNGSTEN Defined for English Language Learners

tungsten

noun

Definition of tungsten for English Language Learners

: a hard metal that is used to make the thin wire in light bulbs and to harden other metals (such as steel)

TUNGSTEN Defined for Kids

tungsten

noun tung·sten \ ˈtəŋ-stən \

Definition of tungsten for Students

: a grayish white hard metallic chemical element used especially for electrical parts (as for the fine wire in an electric light bulb) and to make alloys (as steel) harder

Medical Dictionary

tungsten

noun tung·sten \ ˈtəŋ-stən \

medical Definition of tungsten

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially for electrical purposes and in hardening alloys (as steel) —symbol W — called also wolfram; see Chemical Elements Table

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Spanish Central: Translation of tungsten Nglish: Translation of tungsten for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tungsten

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tungsten

Definition of tungsten

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Origin and Etymology of tungsten

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tungsten

Definition of tungsten for English Language Learners

TUNGSTEN Defined for Kids

tungsten

Definition of tungsten for Students

Medical Dictionary

tungsten

medical Definition of tungsten

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