molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num
mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 
: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of molybdenum in a Sentence
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Plant nutrients that are needed in much lower quantities are boron, calcium, chlorine, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur and zinc.
—
Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Peru is the top source of U.S. molybdenum ore and concentrates, accounting for nearly two-thirds of imports, followed by Mexico (18 percent) and Chile (12 percent).
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
In a separate statement Tuesday, Chinese commerce ministry and customs officials announced to impose export controls on items related to tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum and ruthenium.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
And the commerce ministry and customs administration jointly announced fresh export controls on a handful of rare metals, including tungsten, indium and molybdenum.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
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Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
Peru is the top source of U.S. molybdenum ore and concentrates, accounting for nearly two-thirds of imports, followed by Mexico (18 percent) and Chile (12 percent).
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
In a separate statement Tuesday, Chinese commerce ministry and customs officials announced to impose export controls on items related to tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum and ruthenium.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
And the commerce ministry and customs administration jointly announced fresh export controls on a handful of rare metals, including tungsten, indium and molybdenum.
—John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for molybdenum
Cite this Entry
“Molybdenum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molybdenum. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num
mə-ˈlib-də-nəm
: a metallic element used in steel alloys to give greater strength and hardness see element
Medical Definition
molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num
-də-nəm
: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism
—symbol Mo
see Chemical Elements Table
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