zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm 

: 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

The replica featured natural zirconium oxides mounted on white gold and its scale reduced by 15 to 20 percent to fit Hathaway's measurements. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 May 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary zircon

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing zirconium

• cubic zirconium

Rhymes for zirconium

• carbonium
• harmonium
• meconium
• plutonium
• polonium
• stramonium
• conium
• diazonium
• pandemonium
• pelargonium
• testimonium

Kids Definition

zirconium

noun

zir·​co·​ni·​um ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm 

: 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 

: a steel-gray strong ductile chiefly tetravalent metallic element with a high melting point

—symbol Zr see Chemical Elements Table