Dictionary.com

martensite

[ mahr-tn-zahyt ]
/ ˈmɑr tnˌzaɪt /
Save This Word!
noun Metallurgy.
a metastable microconstituent of any of various forms of carbon steel, produced by undercooling sufficiently below the normal transformation temperature, especially a hard, brittle product of the decomposition of austenite, produced in this way.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of martensite

1895–1900; named after Adolf Martens (died 1914), German metallurgist; see -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM martensite

mar·ten·sit·ic [mahr-tn-zit-ik], /ˌmɑr tnˈzɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby martensite

martelé, martellato, Martello tower, martempering, marten, martensite, Martha, Martha's Vineyard, Martha Washington chair, Martha Washington table, Martí
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use martensite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for martensite

martensite
/ (ˈmɑːtɪnˌzaɪt) /
noun
a constituent formed in steels by rapid quenching, consisting of a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in iron. It is formed by the breakdown of austenite when the rate of cooling is large enough to prevent pearlite forming

Derived forms of martensite

martensitic (ˌmɑːtɪnˈzɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for martensite

C20: named after Adolf Martens (died 1914), German metallurgist
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK