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hafnium
noun
haf·ni·um
ˈhaf-nē-əm
: a metallic element that occurs especially in zirconium minerals and is used in control rods for nuclear reactors see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of hafnium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our experiment uses hafnium monofluoride molecules because hafnium, with 72 protons in its nucleus, is one of the heaviest metals in the periodic table that isn't radioactive.
—Luke Caldwell, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
It’s constructed from alternating thin films of hafnium oxide (HfO2) and glass sitting on top of a silver reflective layer.
—Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023
Any hafnium stays happily in the mantle and keeps on decaying into tungsten, which then remains in the silicate mantle if no further core formation occurs.
—Linda T. Elkins-Tanton, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016
This decay happens on a regular schedule: half the hafnium turns into tungsten in nine million years.
—Linda T. Elkins-Tanton, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2016
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Hafnia (Copenhagen), Denmark
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hafnium
Cite this Entry
“Hafnium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hafnium. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
hafnium
noun
haf·ni·um
ˈhaf-nē-əm
: a gray metallic element that is useful because of its ready absorption of neutrons see element
Medical Definition
hafnium
noun
haf·ni·um
ˈhaf-nē-əm
: a metallic element that resembles zirconium chemically, occurs in zirconium minerals, and readily absorbs neutrons
—symbol Hf
see Chemical Elements Table
More from Merriam-Webster on hafnium
Nglish: Translation of hafnium for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hafnium
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