vanadium

noun

va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnā-dē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a silvery-grayish malleable ductile metallic element obtained from minerals and used especially to form alloys and in catalysts see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of vanadium 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.
The researchers then used a chemical process to load the carbon structure with vanadium oxide. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026 At the heart of the design is a material called vanadium dioxide (VO₂), a rather strange compound famous for its split personality. — New Atlas, 25 May 2026 Greenland Mines Ltd describes the formation as hosting a significant tonnage of gold, palladium, platinum, vanadium, and gallium. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026 Greenland Mines Ltd describes the formation as hosting a significant tonnage of gold, palladium, platinum, vanadium, and gallium. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vanadium

Word History

Etymology

latinization of Swedish Vanadin, from Old Norse Vanadīs, epithet of the goddess Freya (from vana-, stem of vanr, one of the Vanir + dís "woman, female supernatural being") + Swedish -in -in entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vanadium was in 1833

Phrases Containing vanadium

Rhymes for vanadium

See All Rhymes for vanadium

Browse Nearby Words

vanadite
vanadium
vanadium bronze
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

vanadium

noun
va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a grayish metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as of steel) see element

Medical Definition

vanadium

noun
va·​na·​di·​um və-ˈnād-ē-əm How to pronounce vanadium (audio)
: a grayish malleable ductile polyvalent metallic element found combined in minerals and used especially to form alloys (as vanadium steel)
—symbol V see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on vanadium

Nglish: Translation of vanadium for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vanadium

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