: a bluish-white metallic element with atomic number 30 that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel
—often used before another noun
a zinc coating
zinc additives
see Chemical Elements Table
: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize
Examples of zinc in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
This pick does a great job at absorbing oil, thanks to zinc technology that works to mattify and soften skin.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 1 May 2025
David was living roughly 90 miles away in Great Falls and working at a zinc smelter.
—Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Medals are made from recycled zinc alloy, and ordered in bulk to reduce travel emissions, leftover medals and ribbons are recycled within the U.K.
Smart logistics is at the heart of new baggage-free assembly area.
—Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zinc
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Noun
These are like chimneys pushing out superheated, mineral-rich water from deep beneath the Earth, which solidifies into deposits rich in metals such as copper, zinc and sometimes gold and silver.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
This pick does a great job at absorbing oil, thanks to zinc technology that works to mattify and soften skin.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 1 May 2025
David was living roughly 90 miles away in Great Falls and working at a zinc smelter.
—Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Medals are made from recycled zinc alloy, and ordered in bulk to reduce travel emissions, leftover medals and ribbons are recycled within the U.K.
Smart logistics is at the heart of new baggage-free assembly area.
—Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zinc
Cite this Entry
“Zinc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zinc. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
zinc
noun
: a bluish-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 30 that is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals
—symbol Zn
see Chemical Elements Table
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