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.

---

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

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of scandium

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

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scandium

Note: Rare earth elements include 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

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

In this way does vanadium succeed in overtopping scandium by 126 atoms.

From Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by A. P. Sinnett

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---