tantalum

[ tan-tl-uh m ]

/ ˈtæn tl əm /

noun Chemistry.

a gray, hard, rare, metallic element occurring in columbite and tantalite and usually associated with niobium: used, because of its resistance to corrosion by most acids, for chemical, dental, and surgical instruments and apparatus. Symbol: Ta; atomic weight: 180.948; atomic number: 73; specific gravity: 16.6.

Nearby words

Origin of tantalum

1795–1805; < New Latin; named after Tantalus

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

Examples from the Web for tantalum

The raw materials— tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold—were dubbed “conflict minerals.”
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War|John Prendergast|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In China, for example, tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold are mined and ore is imported from other countries.
Helter Smelter No More: Moving to Conflict Free Minerals|Intel|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tantalum helps you send text messages, tin is the solder on every circuit board and gold is the little connecting piece.
Will You Choose a Conflict-Free Microprocessor?|Intel|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tungsten, tantalum, tin and gold are used to produce many common consumer electronics devices.
Will You Choose a Conflict-Free Microprocessor?|Intel|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Tantalum is used to protect interconnects inside microprocessors.
Will You Choose a Conflict-Free Microprocessor?|Intel|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The color value is in the following order: Tungsten, tantalum, graphitized filament, carbon filament.
Motion Picture Operation, Stage Electrics and Illusions|Henry C. Horstmann
The tantalum filament was quickly followed by osmium and by tungsten in this country.
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh
If the first figure of the last pair was assumed to be a null, the word was the symbol for tantalum: "Ta."
The Caves of Fear|John Blaine
The oxide of tantalum dissolves in the bead, but gives no colour.
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines.|Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer
A century elapsed after its discovery before von Bolton produced the first tantalum filament lamp.
Artificial Light|M. Luckiesh

British Dictionary definitions for tantalum

tantalum

/ (ˈtæntələm) /

noun

a hard greyish-white metallic element that occurs with niobium in tantalite and columbite: used in electrical capacitors in most circuit boards and in alloys to increase hardness and chemical resistance, esp in surgical instruments. Symbol: Ta; atomic no: 73; atomic wt: 180.9479; valency: 2, 3, 4, or 5; relative density: 16.654; melting pt: 3020°C; boiling pt: 5458±100°C

Word Origin for tantalum

C19: named after Tantalus, with reference to the metal's incapacity to absorb acids

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

Medicine definitions for tantalum

tantalum

[ tăn′tə-ləm ]

n. Symbol Ta

A hard heavy metallic element that is exceptionally resistant to chemical attack below 150°C and is used to make electronic components and surgical instruments. Atomic number 73.

Science definitions for tantalum

tantalum

[ tăn′tə-ləm ]

Ta

A hard, heavy, gray metallic element that is highly resistant to corrosion at low temperatures. It is used to make light-bulb filaments, surgical instruments, and glass for camera lenses. Atomic number 73; atomic weight 180.948; melting point 3,017°C; boiling point 5,458°C; specific gravity 16.6; valence 2, 3, 4, 5. See Periodic Table.