carbide

noun

car·​bide ˈkär-ˌbīd How to pronounce carbide (audio)
1
: a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element
especially : calcium carbide
2
: a very hard material made of carbon and one or more heavy metals

Examples of carbide 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.
So carbide tool prices have more than doubled in the past two weeks, Modlin says. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026 The tungsten carbide spikes add instant traction on icy sidewalks and have spared me several very public (and painful) slips on slick pavement. — Erica Zazo, Outside, 17 Jan. 2026 The shackle has a Wolfram carbide coating, which is a material that has a near-diamond hardness. — Ryan Waniata Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 9 Feb. 2026 Why silicon carbide matters Silicon carbide is a wide band gap semiconductor. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for carbide

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbide was circa 1865

Phrases Containing carbide

Rhymes for carbide

See All Rhymes for carbide

Browse Nearby Words

carbethoxylation
carbide
carbide lamp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carbide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbide. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

carbide

noun
car·​bide ˈkär-ˌbīd How to pronounce carbide (audio)
: a compound of carbon with another element

Medical Definition

carbide

noun
car·​bide ˈkär-ˌbīd How to pronounce carbide (audio)
: a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element

More from Merriam-Webster on carbide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carbide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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