What does "molybdenum" mean?
A chemical element (symbol Mo) with an atomic number of 42: a silvery metal, not found as a free element, used in steel alloys.
Molybdenum
/məˈlɪbdɪnəm/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A chemical element (symbol Mo) with an atomic number of 42: a silvery metal, not found as a free element, used in steel alloys.
- Grammar: molybdenum is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: mo, alloying element, atomic number 42, element 42.
- Useful contrasts: nonmetal, unalloyed metal.
- Usage evidence: She was elated by the molybdenum assay of the ore sample from her claim.
How to use "molybdenum"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "molybdenum" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "molybdenum" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "molybdenum" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "molybdenum" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A chemical element (symbol Mo) with an atomic number of 42: a silvery metal, not found as a free element, used in steel alloys. countable, uncountable
"The metals at preſent amount to 21 ; only 11 of which were known before the year 1730. Their names are gold, ſilver, platinum, mercury, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, antimony, biſmuth, arſenic, cobalt, nickel, manganeſe, tungſten, molybdenum, uranium, tellurium, titanium, chromum."
- 2 a polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and tungsten in its properties; used to strengthen and harden steel wordnet
- 3 A single atom of this element. countable, uncountable
"a quadruple bond between molybdenums"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
nonmetalunalloyed metal
Example
"She was elated by the molybdenum assay of the ore sample from her claim."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "molybdenum"?
Common synonyms include: mo, alloying element, atomic number 42, element 42, gold, iron.
How do you use "molybdenum" in a sentence?
She was elated by the molybdenum assay of the ore sample from her claim.
How do you pronounce "molybdenum"?
Pronounced /məˈlɪbdɪnəm/.
Etymology
From New Latin molybdaenum, from molybdaena (“any of various substances resembling lead”), from Ancient Greek μολύβδαινα (molúbdaina, “a plummet, piece of lead”), from μόλυβδος (mólubdos, “lead; graphite”), from an Anatolian word cognate with Lydian 𐤪𐤠𐤭𐤦𐤥𐤣𐤠 (mariwda, “dark”), from Proto-Indo-European *morkʷ-iyo-, from a root *morkʷ- (“dark”), cognate with English murk. Cf. Latin plumbum nigrum 'lead'. The suffix is + -um (“a chemical element”). Attested since the last quarter of 18th century.