tungsten
pronunciation
How to pronounce tungsten in British English:
UK [ˈtʌŋstən]
How to pronounce tungsten in American English:
US [ˈtʌŋstən]
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- Noun:
- a heavy gray-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
Word Origin
- tungsten (n.)
- rare metallic element, 1796, from Swedish tungsten "calcium tungstate," coined 1780 by its discoverer, Swedish chemist Karl Wilhelm Scheele (1742-1786) from tung "heavy" + sten "stone" (see stone (n.)). The word was used earlier as the name for calcium tungstate (1770). Atomic symbol W is from Latin wolframium, from German Wolfram "iron tungstate" (see wolfram).
Example
- 1. China produces 91 % of the world 's tungsten .
- 2. Vanadium and tungsten give strength to steel , but at great expense .
- 3. Tungsten was produced there , which was vital for the armaments and ballistics industries of both sides .
- 4. Through a video monitor , I watch the tungsten wires beginning to glow , then brightening to a vivid orange .
- 5. Tungsten is used to fortify steel for cars .