molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: 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

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the Climax molybdenum mine effectively shut down in the 1980s, leaving only skeleton staff on site, thousands of miners lost their jobs. — John Meyer, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025 The Rio Tinto Kennecott website says the facility mines copper, gold, silver, molybdenum and tellurium. — Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for molybdenum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite, molybdenum, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molybdaina, from molybdos lead

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of molybdenum was in 1794

Phrases Containing molybdenum

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molybdenum
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Cite this Entry

“Molybdenum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molybdenum. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

molybdenum

noun
mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on molybdenum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molybdenum

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