: 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
Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Yogurt is a nutrient-dense food that contains protein, probiotics (live beneficial microbes), calcium, zinc, and B vitamins.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2026
Researchers from Concordia University have found that adding a sparse layer of gold nanoparticles to a battery’s inner surface can dramatically reduce dendrite formation in zinc batteries.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Apr. 2026
Taking a zinc or magnesium supplement for sleep will likely be most effective if your levels for either mineral are low.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
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Noun
Far more distinctions arise within each group of fungi, which can also supply plants with vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and zinc.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Yogurt is a nutrient-dense food that contains protein, probiotics (live beneficial microbes), calcium, zinc, and B vitamins.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2026
Researchers from Concordia University have found that adding a sparse layer of gold nanoparticles to a battery’s inner surface can dramatically reduce dendrite formation in zinc batteries.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Apr. 2026
Taking a zinc or magnesium supplement for sleep will likely be most effective if your levels for either mineral are low.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 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 8 Apr. 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
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