zinc

American  

[zingk] / zɪŋk /

noun

1. Chemistry. a ductile, bluish-white metallic element: used in making galvanized iron, brass, and other alloys, and as an element in voltaic cells. Zn; 65.37; 30; 7.14 at 20°C.

2. a piece of this metal used as an element in a voltaic cell.

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verb (used with object)

zincked, zinced, zincking, zincing

1. to coat or cover with zinc.

zinc British  

/ zɪŋk /

noun

1. a brittle bluish-white metallic element that becomes coated with a corrosion-resistant layer in moist air and occurs chiefly in sphalerite and smithsonite. It is a constituent of several alloys, esp brass and nickel-silver, and is used in die-casting, galvanizing metals, and in battery electrodes. Symbol: Zn; atomic no: 30; atomic wt: 65.39; valency: 2; relative density: 7.133; melting pt: 419.58°C; boiling pt: 907°C

2. informal corrugated galvanized iron

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zinc Scientific  

/ zĭngk /

1. A shiny, bluish-white metallic element that is brittle at room temperature but is malleable when heated. It is used in alloys such as brass and bronze, as a coating for iron and steel, and in various household objects. Zinc is essential to human and animal growth. Atomic number 30; atomic weight 65.39; melting point 419.4°C; boiling point 907°C; specific gravity 7.133 (25°C); valence 2.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

• zincic adjective
• zincky adjective
• zincoid adjective
• zincy adjective
• zinky adjective

Etymology

Origin of zinc

1635–45; < German Zink, perhaps derivative of Zinke ( n ) prong, tine, from the spikelike form it takes in a furnace

Compare meaning

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

• zinc vs. zinc sulfate

Example Sentences

The deal would see supplies of zinc concentrate, including germanium and gallium, sent to U.S. markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Australia is the leading producer of iron ore, gold, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and lithium, whilst Indonesia accounts for half of the global production of nickel.

From BBC

Full-fat cheese contains several nutrients relevant to brain health, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D and K2, as well as vitamin B12, folate, iodine, zinc and selenium.

From Science Daily

Beijing has long amassed stockpiles of metals such as copper, aluminum and zinc, and it upgraded the system in 2024 to add more types of minerals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Looking ahead, Emanuel and Currie think it makes sense to have broad industrial metals exposure—copper, but also zinc and nickel—while focusing on platinum among precious metals.

From Barron's

Related Words

• gold
• iron
• metal
• mineral
• platinum