: 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
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a nutritious diet for eye health that includes orange vegetables and fruits with vitamin A, produce rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, leafy greens with lutein and zeaxanthin and beans for zinc.
—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Rainbow trout is also an excellent source of other nutrients, such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, B12, and zinc.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
24 June 2026
China’s Zijin Mining has introduced 290 battery-electric haul trucks at its Wulagen zinc mine in Xinjiang.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for zinc
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Noun
About three-quarters of Paris rooftops use sheets of zinc as covering, producing the city's magnificent gray vistas that have long inspired artists and filmmakers.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a nutritious diet for eye health that includes orange vegetables and fruits with vitamin A, produce rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, leafy greens with lutein and zeaxanthin and beans for zinc.
—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Rainbow trout is also an excellent source of other nutrients, such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, B12, and zinc.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
24 June 2026
China’s Zijin Mining has introduced 290 battery-electric haul trucks at its Wulagen zinc mine in Xinjiang.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 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 2 Jul. 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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