zinc oxide

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white or yellowish-white, amorphous, odorless, water-insoluble powder, ZnO, used chiefly as a paint pigment, in cosmetics, dental cements, matches, white printing inks, and opaque glass, and in medicine in the treatment of skin conditions.

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zinc oxide British  

noun

1. Also called: flowers of zinc.   philosopher's wool.  a white insoluble powder used as a pigment in paints ( zinc white or Chinese white ), cosmetics, glass, and printing inks. It is an antiseptic and astringent and is used in making zinc ointment. Formula: ZnO

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zinc oxide Scientific  

1. A white or yellowish powdery compound used in paints and in various medicines and skin cosmetics. Chemical formula: ZnO.

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Etymology

Origin of zinc oxide

First recorded in 1840–50

Compare meaning

How does zinc-oxide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• zinc oxide vs. zinc sulfate

Example Sentences

But Zuckerberg hit a coolness nadir when paparazzi photographed him in Hawaii riding an electric surfboard with his bubble butt popped out and face lathered—absolutely caked—with bright-white zinc oxide sunscreen.

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2024

Finally, each device is coated in zinc oxide nanowires which give the emitter a level of porosity that enables it to effectively filter and transport liquids.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

Mineral sunscreens are not carbon-based and include two compounds: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

From Scientific American • Sep. 6, 2023

Benjamin, whose seven previous historical novels include stories about Manhattan socialites, Midwestern orphans and even “Alice in Wonderland,” slathers on the period detail as thickly as zinc oxide on a surfer’s nose.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Her face was smeared with so much zinc oxide that it looked like she’d fallen nose-first into a frosted cake.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen