: 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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Phytates in whole grains and oxalates in spinach bind to iron and zinc as well.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Phytates in whole grains and oxalates in leafy greens like spinach also bind to iron and zinc.
—Allison Palmer
june 9, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Sunscreens with physical filters—such as titanium and zinc—are mineral-based and are known to leave a white cast on skin.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for zinc
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
However, their performance has been hindered by unstable zinc deposition and unwanted reactions between zinc electrodes and water during charging and discharging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Phytates in whole grains and oxalates in spinach bind to iron and zinc as well.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Phytates in whole grains and oxalates in leafy greens like spinach also bind to iron and zinc.
—Allison Palmer
june 9, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Sunscreens with physical filters—such as titanium and zinc—are mineral-based and are known to leave a white cast on skin.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for zinc
Cite this Entry
“Zinc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zinc. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
