nonmetal

noun

non·​met·​al ˌnän-ˈme-tᵊl 

: a chemical element (such as boron, carbon, or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of a metal

Examples of nonmetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rule, published in the Federal Register this month, cuts the permissible exposure limit for silica dust from 100 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for an 8-hour shift in coal, metal and nonmetal mines such as sand and gravel. —Leah Willingham and Matthew Daly, Anchorage Daily News, 25 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nonmetal

noun

non·​met·​al (ˈ)nän-ˈmet-ᵊl 

: an element (as carbon or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of a metal

Medical Definition

nonmetal

noun

non·​met·​al (ˈ)nän-ˈmet-ᵊl 

: a chemical element (as boron, carbon, or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of a metal and that is able to form anions, acidic oxides, acids, and stable compounds with hydrogen