: 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
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Mar. 2026
However, like iron, zinc absorption can be impacted by the tannins in coffee.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 23 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, The Ordinary’s niacinamide and zinc serum helps to control oil, calm inflammation, and strengthen the barrier.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
For five days, toxic fumes from a zinc smelter – a plant that turns zinc ore into pure zinc metal – poured out of the factory’s stacks, became trapped in the valley and thus blanketed Donora.
—Ella Whitman, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
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Noun
By contrast, whole, unprocessed cuts of meat provide nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and choline, Yassine says.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Mar. 2026
However, like iron, zinc absorption can be impacted by the tannins in coffee.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 23 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, The Ordinary’s niacinamide and zinc serum helps to control oil, calm inflammation, and strengthen the barrier.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
For five days, toxic fumes from a zinc smelter – a plant that turns zinc ore into pure zinc metal – poured out of the factory’s stacks, became trapped in the valley and thus blanketed Donora.
—Ella Whitman, The Conversation, 19 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 28 Mar. 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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