nonmetal

[ non-met-l ]

/ nɒnˈmɛt l /

noun Chemistry.

an element not having the character of a metal, as carbon or nitrogen.

an element incapable of forming simple positive ions in solution.

Words nearby nonmetal

nonmaterial, nonmaterial culture, nonmedical, nonmedullated fiber, nonmember, nonmetal, nonmetallic, nonmiscible, nonmonetary advantages, nonmoral, nonnasal

Origin of nonmetal

First recorded in 1865–70; non- + metal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for nonmetal

nonmetal

/ (nɒnˈmɛtəl) /

noun

any of a number of chemical elements that form negative ions, have acidic oxides, and are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity

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