ytterbium

[ ih-tur-bee-uhm ]

/ ɪˈtɜr bi əm /

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noun Chemistry.

a rare metallic element found in gadolinite and forming compounds resembling those of yttrium. Symbol: Yb; atomic weight: 173.04; atomic number: 70; specific gravity: 6.96.

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Compare rare-earth element.

Origin of ytterbium

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ytterbium

yt·ter·bic, yt·ter·bous, adjective

Words nearby ytterbium

YT, YTD, YTS, ytterbia, ytterbite, ytterbium, ytterbium oxide, yttria, yttriferous, yttrium, yttrium metal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use ytterbium in a sentence

To make their logical qubit, the researchers used a technique called a Bacon-Shor code, applying it to qubits made of ytterbium ions hovering above an ion-trapping chip inside a vacuum, which are manipulated with lasers.
Scientists are one step closer to error-correcting quantum computers|Emily Conover|October 4, 2021|Science News
Ytterbium, i-ter′bi-um, n. an element discovered by Marignac in gadolinite.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ytterbium

ytterbium

/ (ɪˈtɜːbɪəm) /

noun

a soft malleable silvery element of the lanthanide series of metals that occurs in monazite and is used to improve the mechanical properties of steel. Symbol: Yb; atomic no: 70; atomic wt: 173.04; valency: 2 or 3; relative density: 6.903 (alpha), 6.966 (beta); melting pt: 819°C; boiling pt: 1196°C

Word Origin for ytterbium

C19: New Latin; see ytterbia

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

Medical definitions for ytterbium

ytterbium

[ ĭ-tûr′bē-əm ]

n. Symbol Yb

A soft bright allotropic rare-earth element, whose radioisotope is used in diagnostic imaging of the brain. Atomic number 70.

Scientific definitions for ytterbium

ytterbium

[ ĭ-tûr′bē-əm ]

A soft, silvery-white metallic element of the lanthanide series that occurs as seven stable isotopes. It is used as a radiation source for portable x-ray machines. Atomic number 70; atomic weight 173.04; melting point 824°C; boiling point 1,196°C; specific gravity 6.972 or 6.54 (25°C) depending on allotropic form; valence 2, 3. See Periodic Table.