: a chemical element (such as boron, carbon, or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of a metal
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1864, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
nonmetal
noun
non·met·al (ˈ)nän-ˈmet-ᵊl
: a chemical element (as boron, carbon, or nitrogen) that lacks the characteristics of a metal and that is able to form anions, acidic oxides, acids, and stable compounds with hydrogen