molybdenum

[ muh-lib-duh-nuhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a silver-white metallic element, used as an alloy with iron in making hard, high-speed cutting tools. : Mo; : 95.94; : 42; : 10.2.

molybdenum

/ mɒˈlɪbdɪnəm /

noun

1. a very hard ductile silvery-white metallic element occurring principally in molybdenite: used mainly in alloys, esp to harden and strengthen steels. Symbol: Mo; atomic no: 42; atomic wt: 95.94; valency: 2–6; relative density: 10.22; melting pt: 2623°C; boiling pt: 4639°C

molybdenum

/ mə-lĭb′də-nəm /

1. A hard, silvery-white metallic element that resists corrosion and retains its strength at high temperatures. It is used to harden and toughen steel and to make high-temperature wiring. Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plant metabolism. Atomic number 42; atomic weight 95.96; melting point 2,623°C; boiling point 4,639°C; specific gravity 10.22 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of molybdenum¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin molybdēnum, alteration of earlier molybdēna “lead ore,” from Latin molybdaena, from Greek molýbdaina “galena,” equivalent to mólybd(os) “lead” + -aina a suffix indicating relationship or origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of molybdenum¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molubdaina, from molubdos lead

Example Sentences

Building on this prior work, the researchers in the most recent study also chose molybdenum disulfide for their channel material and a carbon-based gate.

From Singularity Hub 

Ren also points out that 2D materials, like molybdenum disulfide, are still pricey and manufacturing high-quality stuff at scale is a challenge.

From Singularity Hub 

For instance, the molybdenum that had been crucial to creating the idea of “whiffs,” Slotznick and co-authors think, actually came from volcanoes.

From Popular-Science

Other elements, such as molybdenum, rhenium, and sulfur, show changes too—though scientists aren’t always sure what drives those changes.

From Popular-Science

The trick was to coat the surface of the EUV mirrors with alternating layers of silicon and molybdenum, each only a few nanometers thick.

From MIT Technology Review

Iron and copper ores frequently contain molybdenum, sometimes in quantity; consequently it is met with in slags and pig-iron.

From Project Gutenberg

All molybdenum compounds are converted into the trioxide by boiling with nitric acid.

From Project Gutenberg

Vanadium is white, and when its surface is polished, it resembles silver or molybdenum more than any other metal.

From Project Gutenberg

We noted a similar close resemblance between the positive strontium and the negative molybdenum.

From Project Gutenberg

It consumes a lot in its own steel industry, even using manganese as a substitute for scarcer alloys like nickel and molybdenum.

From Project Gutenberg