carbide

American  

[kahr-bahyd, -bid] / ˈkɑr baɪd, -bɪd /

noun

1. a compound of carbon with a more electropositive element or group.

2. calcium carbide.

3. a very hard mixture of sintered carbides of various heavy metals, especially tungsten carbide, used for cutting edges and dies.

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carbide British  

/ ˈkɑːbaɪd /

noun

1. a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element See also acetylide

2. See calcium carbide

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carbide Scientific  

/ kär′bīd′ /

1. A chemical compound consisting of carbon and a more electropositive element, such as calcium or tungsten. Many carbides, especially those made of carbon and a metal, are very hard and are used to make cutting tools and abrasives.

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Etymology

Origin of carbide

First recorded in 1860–65; carb- + -ide ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carbide

The results changed when the team investigated a divacancy defect in silicon carbide.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

The Wolfspeed-Liteon partnership also reinforces AI-driven silicon carbide adoption, benefiting Malaysian power-management players such as Malaysian Pacific Industries, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

This distinction is important because completely melting tungsten carbide can alter its internal structure and reduce the properties that make it valuable.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The experiments showed that the approach could preserve the hardness and mechanical integrity associated with conventionally manufactured WC-Co cemented carbide.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

Donning the hat, he said with a smirk, “Big pink thing with feathers, huh? If it doesn’t come with a carbide gas light, I’m not interested.”

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

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