boron

noun

bo·​ron ˈbȯr-ˌän How to pronounce boron (audio)
: a metalloid chemical element that is found in nature only in combination and that is used especially in borosilicate glass and detergents see Chemical Elements Table
boronic adjective

Examples of boron 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.
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 According to The Telegraph, an internal report had already revealed that Corby residents were exposed to high levels of zinc, arsenic, boron and nickel as a result of the reclamation project. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 Hind and his co-writer Stephen Bevan gained access to a report by local auditors that revealed one of the sites, a quarry land, contained levels of arsenic, zinc, boron, and nickel that far exceeded environmental safety guidelines, even after it had been supposedly cleaned up. Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025 Solar cells are often doped with boron instead of gallium. Maddie Stone, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boron

Word History

Etymology

borax + -on (as in carbon)

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boron was in 1812

Cite this Entry

“Boron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boron. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

boron

noun
bo·​ron ˈbō(ə)r-ˌän How to pronounce boron (audio)
ˈbȯ(ə)r-
: a metalloid element found in nature only in combination (as in borax) see element

Medical Definition

boron

noun
: a trivalent metalloid element found in nature only in combination and used in metallurgy and in composite structural materials
symbol B
see Chemical Elements Table
boronic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on boron

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