molybdenum
pronunciation
How to pronounce molybdenum in British English:
UK [məˈlɪbdənəm]
How to pronounce molybdenum in American English:
US [məˈlɪbdənəm]
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- Noun:
- a polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in its properties; used to strengthen and harden steel
Word Origin
- molybdenum (n.)
- metallic element, 1816, from molybdena, used generally for lead-like minerals, from Greek molybdos "lead," also "black graphite," related to Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)), and like it probably borrowed from a lost Mediterranean language, perhaps Iberian. The element so called because of its resemblance to lead ore.
Example
- 1. Molybdenum is a metallic element used for filaments in light bulbs .
- 2. Molybdenum and vanadium are used as alloys for steel to prevent corrosion .
- 3. They want to discuss china 's export limits on rare earth metals and two other minerals , tungsten and molybdenum .
- 4. Thousands of anti - pollution protesters took to the streets of a south-west chinese city on monday , halting the construction of a multimillion pound molybdenum copper plant .
- 5. China produces 36 % of the world 's molybdenum , according to the eu statement .