: 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
Micah Ling, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
These meats are considered red meats and are rich in protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Some nutritional deficiencies are common in people with celiac disease, such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, folate, and calcium.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The mines sent virtually all their copper to the United Kingdom and most of their tin, cassiterite, cobalt, manganese, zinc, cadmium, silver, gold, and uranium to the United States.
—Big Think, 26 Aug. 2025
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Noun
Barnes suggested getting lots of vitamin C and zinc, and dropped my pre-race rides down to full rest days.
—Micah Ling, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
These meats are considered red meats and are rich in protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Aug. 2025
Some nutritional deficiencies are common in people with celiac disease, such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, folate, and calcium.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
The mines sent virtually all their copper to the United Kingdom and most of their tin, cassiterite, cobalt, manganese, zinc, cadmium, silver, gold, and uranium to the United States.
—Big Think, 26 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 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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