rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrō-dē-əm 

: a rare silvery-white hard ductile metallic element that is resistant to acids, sometimes occurs naturally in pure form but is usually obtained from nickel ores, and is used especially as a catalyst and in platinum alloys see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of rhodium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thieves target the car part because it can be stripped for precious metals like palladium and rhodium, which can be melted down and sold at high value. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024

In addition to ruthenium, iridium, osmium, platinum, platinum, and rhodium are rare on Earth, but common in meteorites, so a global distribution is consistent with initiating a mass extinction. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Aug. 2024

Simple: Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium and palladium. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 29 May 2024

Over the years, the brand continued to make subtle stylistic updates to the model, offering different style options from a white gold case with a rhodium or anthracite dial to a red gold case and a rich chocolate dial. —Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek rhódon "rose" + -ium; from the rose color of a chlorine compound of the metal obtained during its isolation

Note: Name introduced by the discoverer of the metal, William Hyde wollaston, in "On a new Metal, found in crude Platina," "read June 24, 1804," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London for the Year 1804, Part II, p. 419: "My inquiries having terminated more successfully than I had expected, I design the present Memoir to prove the existence, and to examine the properties, of another metal, hitherto unknown, which may not improperly be distinguished by the name of Rhodium, from the rose-colour of a solution of the salts containing it."

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrōd-ē-əm 

: a rare silvery white hard metallic element that is resistant to attack by acids, occurs in nickel ores, and is used in platinum alloys see element

Medical Definition

rhodium

noun

rho·​di·​um ˈrōd-ē-əm 

: a white hard ductile metallic element that is resistant to attack by acids, occurs in platinum ores, and is used in alloys with platinum

—symbol Rh see Chemical Elements Table