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

The U.S. currently relies on other countries to secure rubidium, cesium and scandium.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 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

In August, NioCorp subsidiary Elk Creek Resources Corp. was awarded a $10 million grant from the Pentagon to help establish what the company describes as the first domestic scandium mine-to-master alloy supply chain.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 20, 2025

The deep sea hosts potato-sized rocks called nodules and crusts which contain minerals such as lithium, scandium and cobalt, critical for clean technologies, including in batteries.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2024

And there are also scandium oxide molecules making unfamiliar faces at us.

From The Sky Trap by Long, Frank Belknap