cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

1

: a magnetic metallic element that is used especially in alloys, in batteries, and as a pigment in paint and glass see Chemical Elements Table

2

: cobalt blue sense 2

Did you know?

The metallic element "cobalt" ultimately draws its name from folklore. In Middle High German, "kobolt" denoted a usually helpful household elf that engaged in nasty pranks only when it was offended. Later, early Modern German Kobold came to refer to a variety of less helpful goblins inhabiting fields and mountains. The variant "Kobolt" in the 16th century was applied by German miners to ores containing the metal cobalt, which they considered to be worthless; they believed that mountain goblins had spoiled adjacent silver ores, or had stolen the silver within the ore. The metal itself in relatively pure form was not produced and described until the 17th century, when "cobalt," with its first letter influenced by New Latin cobaltum, became part of the international language of science.

Examples of cobalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, car companies like Tesla and Ford are phasing out cobalt. —Anna Broughel, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Beiser tracks cobalt and lithium from environmentally destructive excavation sites in Chile’s Atacama Desert and the deep-sea floor through a geopolitically fraught supply chain to our electric cars and solar panels. —Dana Dunham, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

While opening more facilities in California would help, the program uses cobalt to produce high-energy radiation to sterilize the bugs — which is expensive and requires the lab to take extensive safety and security measures. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

Since the first Tesla hit the road in 2008, the standard electric vehicle battery has been made primarily from nickel and cobalt. —Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Kobalt, alteration of Kobold, literally, goblin, from Middle High German kobolt; from its occurrence in silver ore, believed to be due to goblins

First Known Use

circa 1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cobalt

• cobalt blue
• cobalt chloride

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Kids Definition

cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

: a tough shiny silver-white magnetic metallic element that is found with iron and nickel and is used especially in alloys see element

Etymology

from German Kobalt "cobalt," an altered form of Kobold, literally, "goblin"; so called because its appearance in silver ore was thought to have been the work of goblins who left it in place of silver which they stole

Medical Definition

cobalt

noun

co·​balt ˈkō-ˌbȯlt 

: a tough lustrous silver-white magnetic metallic element that is related to and occurs with iron and nickel and is used especially in alloys

—symbol Co see Chemical Elements Table