tungsten

[tuhng-stuhn]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a rare, metallic element having a bright-gray color, a metallic luster, and a high melting point, 3410° C, and found in wolframite, tungstite, and other minerals: used in alloys of high-speed cutting tools, electric-lamp filaments, etc. W; 183.85; 74; 19.3.

tungsten

/ ˈtʌŋstən /

noun

1. Also called: wolfram. a hard malleable ductile greyish-white element. It occurs principally in wolframite and scheelite and is used in lamp filaments, electrical contact points, X-ray targets, and, alloyed with steel, in high-speed cutting tools. Symbol: W; atomic no: 74; atomic wt: 183.85; valency: 2–6; relative density: 19.3; melting pt: 3422±20°C; boiling pt: 5555°C

tungsten

1. A hard, gray to white metallic element that is very resistant to corrosion. It has the highest melting point of all elements, and it retains its strength at high temperatures. It is used to make light-bulb filaments and to increase the hardness and strength of steel. Atomic number 74; atomic weight 183.84; melting point 3,410°C; boiling point 5,900°C; specific gravity 19.3 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

2. Also called wolfram

3. See Periodic Table

Other Word Forms

• tungstenic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tungsten¹

1760–70; < Swedish, equivalent to tung heavy + sten stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of tungsten¹

C18: from Swedish tung heavy + sten _stone

Example Sentences

The African continent is rich in critical minerals and metals - like lithium, rare earths, cobalt and tungsten - which are vital to making and running our personal tech.

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That includes critical minerals such as tungsten, lithium, copper, and magnesium classified by the U.S.

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The same processes that stabilized Earth's crust also redistributed rare earth elements such as lithium, tin, and tungsten, revealing new clues about where these minerals may be found today.

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These include tungsten, which is difficult to source and a crucial material for the aerospace industry, tellurium, widely used for solar panels, and molybdenum, which is used to strengthen steel alloys.

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The restricted list includes tungsten, which is difficult to source and a crucial material for the aerospace industry.

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