molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm 
: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism see Chemical Elements Table
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Again, metal miners tend to diversify, and SCCO is no different, also digging for molybdenum, zinc, lead, coal and silver. 
Brett Owens, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2022 For healthy growth, our roses also require smaller amounts of three secondary ingredients — calcium, magnesium and sulfur — and the micronutrients boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2022 Sampling of the puddles found levels of copper, zinc and molybdenum that exceeded allowable limits, according to the charging document. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Oct. 2021 The mine also produces gold, silver and molybdenum. Rhiannon Hoyle, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021 Bingham Canyon accounts for all the molybdenum and silver produced in Utah and nearly all the copper and gold. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 June 2021 The Phoenix based mining company Freeport-McMoRan operates the copper/molybdenum mine in Baghdad and owns all the homes and commercial buildings in town, KPHO says. CBS News, 28 May 2021 But over the ages, steel makers learned that a pinch of cobalt or a dash of chromium—or a smidge of more exotic compounds such as vanadium or molybdenum—changes a steel’s character. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Mar. 2021 New for 2021, Spyderco has introduced a number of their folders including the Endela, with K390 Microclean, a high performance blade steel made by Böhler-Uddeholm that’s enriched with vanadium, molybdenum and cobalt. Matt Foster, Outdoor Life, 24 Feb. 2021 See More
Brett Owens, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2022 For healthy growth, our roses also require smaller amounts of three secondary ingredients — calcium, magnesium and sulfur — and the micronutrients boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2022 Sampling of the puddles found levels of copper, zinc and molybdenum that exceeded allowable limits, according to the charging document. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Oct. 2021 The mine also produces gold, silver and molybdenum. Rhiannon Hoyle, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021 Bingham Canyon accounts for all the molybdenum and silver produced in Utah and nearly all the copper and gold. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 June 2021 The Phoenix based mining company Freeport-McMoRan operates the copper/molybdenum mine in Baghdad and owns all the homes and commercial buildings in town, KPHO says. CBS News, 28 May 2021 But over the ages, steel makers learned that a pinch of cobalt or a dash of chromium—or a smidge of more exotic compounds such as vanadium or molybdenum—changes a steel’s character. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 5 Mar. 2021 New for 2021, Spyderco has introduced a number of their folders including the Endela, with K390 Microclean, a high performance blade steel made by Böhler-Uddeholm that’s enriched with vanadium, molybdenum and cobalt. Matt Foster, Outdoor Life, 24 Feb. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from molybdena, a lead ore, molybdenite, molybdenum, from Latin molybdaena galena, from Greek molybdaina, from molybdos lead
First Known Use
1794, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing molybdenum
Kids Definition
molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm
: a white metallic chemical element used in some steel to give greater strength and hardness
Medical Definition
molybdenum
noun
mo·lyb·de·num -də-nəm
: a metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in many properties, is used especially in strengthening and hardening steel, and is a trace element in plant and animal metabolism —symbol Mo see Chemical Elements Table