tungsten

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noun tung·sten \ ˈtəŋ-stən \

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

The new Cayenne is the first vehicle to offer Porsche’s Surface Coated Brakes, which incorporate a tungsten-carbide surface layer on traditional iron rotors that is intended to extend longevity, improve performance, and reduce brake dust.

— jens meiners, Car and Driver, "2019 Porsche Cayenne Revealed: The Porsche of SUVs, Take Three," 30 Aug. 2017
The new work extends that by looking at specific elements: tungsten and molybdenum.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "New study suggests Jupiter’s formation divided Solar System in two," 17 June 2017
The report listed three other products — aluminum ingots, ammonium paratungstate and tungsten trioxide — that Hongxiang sold to North Korea and that the United States Commerce Department considers to have possible civilian and nuclear uses.

— jane perlez and chris buckley, New York Times, "China Announces Inquiry Into Company Trading With North Korea," 20 Sep. 2016
In contrast to silicon, a semiconductor, which can either conduct or insulate, depending on how it is chemically modified, Dr. Scherer’s tubes can be made from a range of conducting metals, such as tungsten, molybdenum, gold and platinum.

— john markoff, New York Times, "An Error Leads to a New Way to Draw, and Erase, Computing Circuits OCT. 9, 2015," 5 June 2016
Made with a space-age tungsten micro-filament, the iBrew is simple to use.

— wired blogs, WIRED, "IBrush, iCan and iBrew," 27 Sep. 2004

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

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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

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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

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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

Recent Examples of tungsten from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tungsten

TUNGSTEN Defined for English Language Learners

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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