vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnā-dē-əm 

: a silvery-grayish malleable ductile metallic element obtained from minerals and used especially to form alloys and in catalysts see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of vanadium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The method grows the manganese vanadium oxide on top of the crystal substrate—which gives engineers more control over the film’s thickness, composition, and crystal structure, according to Photonics Media. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Aug. 2025

Mg), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo). —New Atlas, 23 June 2025

Chrome molybdenum and chrome vanadium steels are both steel alloys that are used in high-end tools. —Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025

The positive and negative sides of a vanadium redox-flow battery are separated by a membrane that selectively allows protons to go through. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

latinization of Swedish Vanadin, from Old Norse Vanadīs, epithet of the goddess Freya (from vana-, stem of vanr, one of the Vanir + dís "woman, female supernatural being") + Swedish -in -in entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vanadium

• vanadium pentoxide

Rhymes for vanadium

• palladium
• radium
• stadium

Kids Definition

vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm 

: a grayish metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as of steel) see element

Medical Definition

vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm 

: a grayish malleable ductile polyvalent metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as vanadium steel)

—symbol V see Chemical Elements Table