chromium

[kroh-mee-uhm]

noun

1. a lustrous, hard, brittle, metallic element used in alloy steels for hardness and corrosion resistance, as in stainless steel, and for plating other metals: chromium salts are used as pigments and mordants. Cr; 51.996; 24; 7.1.

2. chrome.

chromium

/ ˈkrəʊmɪəm /

noun

1. a hard grey metallic element that takes a high polish, occurring principally in chromite: used in steel alloys and electroplating to increase hardness and corrosion-resistance. Symbol: Cr; atomic no: 24; atomic wt: 51.9961; valency: 2, 3, or 6; relative density: 7.18–7.20; melting pt: 1863±20°C; boiling pt: 2672°C

chromium

1. A hard, shiny, steel-gray metallic element that is rust-resistant and does not tarnish easily. It is used to plate other metals, to harden steel, and to make stainless steel and other alloys. Atomic number 24; atomic weight 51.996; melting point 1,890°C; boiling point 2,482°C; specific gravity 7.18; valence 2, 3, 6.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromium¹

First recorded in 1800–10; chrome + -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromium¹

C19: from New Latin, from French: _chrome

Example Sentences

The findings were consistent with previous work on chromium, calcium, titanium, and zirconium isotopes: Earth and Moon show no measurable differences in these ratios.

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Air samples collected Sept. 10-22 in the city of Paramount had “slightly elevated” levels of hexavalent chromium, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

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In particular, they cited the government’s evaluation of chemicals including formaldehyde, inorganic arsenic and hexavalent chromium, which can be used or created by industrial processes.

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Eventually she is subsumed into this alien universe, a creature of nature who allows birds to roost on her chromium shoulder.

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The test results also found high levels of chromium — which, in some chemical configurations, is a carcinogen — on one campus.

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