zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used especially in alloys and in refractories and ceramics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of zirconium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But a radioactive leak would require not only corrosion of the container but also of the zirconium rods and of the fuel inside them. Gerald Frankel, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025 As the water level dropped, the zirconium alloy fuel rods reacted with the steam and other gases to produce hydrogen gas. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2011 Chanel now makes its own case and bracelet components from proprietary ceramic powder formulas and compressed cylinders of zirconium oxide powder. Roberta Naas, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 The 42mm case, case ring, bezel and case back ring are all made of black zirconium oxide ceramic, as are the add-on parts like the crown protection and the crown. Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zirconium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary zircon

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zirconium was in 1808

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zirconium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zirconium. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

zirconium

noun
zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray strong metallic element with a high melting point that is used especially in combination with other metals see element

Medical Definition

zirconium

noun
zir·​co·​ni·​um (ˌ)zər-ˈkō-nē-əm How to pronounce zirconium (audio)
: a steel-gray strong ductile chiefly tetravalent metallic element with a high melting point
symbol Zr
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on zirconium

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