zirconium
noun
zir·co·ni·um
ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm 
: a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used especially in alloys and in refractories and ceramics see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of zirconium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The investigators examined the X-ray spectra of zirconium minerals and found, in addition to the characteristic lines of the element, lines of another, unknown element in the position where the lines of No. 72 should be.
—
Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
In the accident, a zirconium plate in the reactor vessel became loose and blocked the sodium coolant, causing a small amount of fuel to melt.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
The zirconium tubing surrounding the fuel reacted with hot steam to produce hydrogen, which mixed with air and exploded, destroying the surrounding structures.
—Victor Gilinsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2011
When temperatures passed 1300 °C, the fuel rods’ protective zirconium cladding began to react with the steam inside the vessel, producing highly volatile hydrogen gas.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
See all Example Sentences for zirconium 
Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
In the accident, a zirconium plate in the reactor vessel became loose and blocked the sodium coolant, causing a small amount of fuel to melt.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
The zirconium tubing surrounding the fuel reacted with hot steam to produce hydrogen, which mixed with air and exploded, destroying the surrounding structures.
—Victor Gilinsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2011
When temperatures passed 1300 °C, the fuel rods’ protective zirconium cladding began to react with the steam inside the vessel, producing highly volatile hydrogen gas.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
See all Example Sentences for zirconium
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zirconium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near zirconium
Cite this Entry
“Zirconium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zirconium. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
zirconium
noun
zir·co·ni·um
ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-əm
: a steel-gray strong metallic element with a high melting point that is used especially in combination with other metals see element
Medical Definition
zirconium
noun
zir·co·ni·um
(ˌ)zər-ˈkō-nē-əm
: a steel-gray strong ductile chiefly tetravalent metallic element with a high melting point
—symbol Zr
see Chemical Elements Table
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share