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

It’s important to use sunscreen specifically made for animals, Jae says, because most sunscreens for humans contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that are toxic to pets if ingested.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2024

The researchers layered platinum, hafnium oxide and zinc oxide and added the stacked materials on top of the original magnetoelectric film.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

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

From Scientific American • Sep. 6, 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