bismuth

American  

[biz-muhth] / ˈbɪz məθ /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a brittle, grayish-white, red-tinged, metallic element used in the manufacture of fusible alloys and in medicine. Bi; 208.980; 83.

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bismuth British  

/ ˈbɪzməθəl, ˈbɪzməθ /

noun

1. a brittle pinkish-white crystalline metallic element having low thermal and electrical conductivity, which expands on cooling. It is widely used in alloys, esp low-melting alloys in fire safety devices; its compounds are used in medicines. Symbol: Bi; atomic no: 83; atomic wt: 208.98037; valency: 3 or 5; relative density: 9.747; melting pt: 271.4°C; boiling pt: 1564±5°C

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bismuth Scientific  

/ bĭz′məth /

1. A brittle, pinkish-white, crystalline metallic element that occurs in nature as a free metal and in various ores. Bismuth is the most strongly diamagnetic element and has the highest atomic number of all stable elements. It is used to make low-melting alloys for fire-safety devices. Atomic number 83; atomic weight 208.98; melting point 271.3°C; boiling point 1,560°C; specific gravity 9.747; valence 3, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• bismuthal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bismuth

1660–70; earlier bismutum < New Latin bisemūtum, Latinized form of German Wissmuth (now Wismut ) < ?

Example Sentences

This patent-pending technology purifies the isotope by removing it from the bismuth target and then loads it onto a shipping column for incorporation into targeted alpha therapy drugs.

From Science Daily • Nov. 11, 2025

"But when we cooled down the device in our lab, we were amazed to observe quantum oscillations, which have not been previously seen in thin bismuth films."

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

"We developed a new method to make very thin crystals of materials such as bismuth, and in the process reveal hidden electronic behaviors of the metal's surfaces."

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

A: Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto Bismol, can react with the sulfur in your mouth to form bismuth sulfide.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2024

Of, or containing, bismuth, when this element has its lower valence.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah