scandium

American  

[skan-dee-uhm] / ˈskæn di əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a rare, trivalent, metallic element obtained from thortveitite. Sc; 44.956; 21; 3.0.

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scandium British  

/ ˈskændɪəm /

noun

1. a rare light silvery-white metallic element occurring in minute quantities in numerous minerals. Symbol: Sc; atomic no: 21; atomic wt: 44.955910; valency: 3; relative density: 2.989; melting pt: 1541°C; boiling pt: 2836°C

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scandium Scientific  

/ skăn′dē-əm /

1. A soft, silvery, very lightweight metallic element that is found in various rare minerals and is a byproduct in the processing of certain uranium ores. It has a high melting point and is used to make high-intensity lights. Atomic number 21; atomic weight 44.956; melting point 1,540°C; boiling point 2,850°C; specific gravity 2.99; valence 3.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of scandium

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; Scandia, -ium

Example Sentences

Rubidium and cesium, which are used for atomic clocks, can be found at the Utah site, along with scandium, which is essential for the aerospace industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

These include scandium, yttrium and the lanthanides, which account for 15 chemical elements in the periodic table.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 28, 2025

The region holds deposits of many of the very elements China has placed under export controls: yttrium, scandium, erbium, europium, ytterbium, samarium, and lutetium.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

The deep sea is home to minerals such as lithium, scandium and cobalt - which are critical for green technologies.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2024

About half of these elements, though not in order of certainty, are aluminum, cadmium, calcium, carbon, chromium, cobalt, copper, hydrogen, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, scandium, silicon, silver, sodium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck