zirconia

noun

zir·​co·​nia ˌzər-ˈkō-nē-ə How to pronounce zirconia (audio)
: a white crystalline compound ZrO2 used especially in refractories, in thermal and electric insulation, in abrasives, and in enamels and glazes

called also zirconium oxide

Examples of zirconia 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.
This coating is made up of a hafnium oxide layer frosted with a thin topping of zirconia oxide. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 July 2025 This affordable engagement ring replica features a shining halo stone with sparkling zirconia chips on either side. — Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2023 To do the former, add some strappy sandals and consider diamond (or zirconia) accessories. — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 23 May 2026 Crown packages with zirconia or E-max materials begin at £1,030 and also last 4–5 days. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for zirconia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary zircon

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zirconia was in 1794

Phrases Containing zirconia

Rhymes for zirconia

See All Rhymes for zirconia

Browse Nearby Words

zirconate
zirconia
zirconic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on zirconia

Nglish: Translation of zirconia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zirconia

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