zinc

1 of 2

noun

ˈziŋk 

: a bluish-white metallic element with atomic number 30 that is ductile when pure but in the commercial form is brittle at ordinary temperatures and becomes ductile on slight heating, occurs abundantly in minerals, is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel

—often used before another noun

a zinc coating

zinc additives

see Chemical Elements Table

zinc

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verb

zinced or zincked ˈziŋ(k)t  ; zincing or zincking ˈziŋ-kiŋ 

transitive verb

: to treat or coat with zinc : galvanize

Examples of zinc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other diuretics, such as amiloride, may reduce the amount of zinc lost in urine, increasing the amount of zinc in your body. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 22 Sep. 2024

In the stack, zinc is plated onto a carbon surface during the charging process. —Kat Friedrich, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024

For those with the highest amounts of urinary copper and zinc, calcification levels increased by 33% and 57% over 10 years, respectively. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024

Fortifying bouillon cubes with iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12, for example, could prevent 16.6 million cases of anemia each year in Nigeria. —Alice Park, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Zink

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing zinc

• diethyl zinc
• mossy zinc
• zinc blende
• zinc chloride
• zinc oxide
• zinc sulfate
• zinc sulfide
• zinc white

Kids Definition

zinc

noun

ˈziŋk

: a bluish white metallic element that is commonly found in minerals and is used especially in alloys and as a protective coating for iron and steel see element

Medical Definition

zinc

noun

ˈziŋk 

: a bluish-white metallic chemical element with atomic number 30 that is an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals

—symbol Zn see Chemical Elements Table