molybdenum

noun

mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: 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

Examples of molybdenum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then there are micronutrients like zinc, boron, molybdenum and others. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026 The chrome-molybdenum steel frame now comes with an aluminum and glass-fiber reinforced nylon subframe, which helps keep the weight down. — New Atlas, 20 Apr. 2026 It’s made of a proprietary molybdenum high-carbon stainless steel and tends to hold a slightly sharper edge than the Tojiro. — Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Feb. 2026 Refractory alloys are based on elements such as tungsten, niobium and molybdenum, which have some of the highest melting points of any metals. — Vitor Rielli, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for molybdenum

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of molybdenum was in 1794

Phrases Containing molybdenum

Browse Nearby Words

molybdenite
molybdenum
molybdenum blue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Molybdenum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molybdenum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

molybdenum

noun
mo·​lyb·​de·​num mə-ˈlib-də-nəm How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: a metallic element used in steel alloys to give greater strength and hardness see element

Medical Definition

molybdenum

noun
mo·​lyb·​de·​num -də-nəm How to pronounce molybdenum (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on molybdenum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molybdenum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All