chromium

[kroh-mee-uhm]

noun

1. a lustrous, hard, brittle, metallic element used in alloy steels for hardness and corrosion resistance, as in stainless steel, and for plating other metals: chromium salts are used as pigments and mordants. Cr; 51.996; 24; 7.1.

2. chrome.

chromium

/ ˈkrəʊmɪəm /

noun

1. a hard grey metallic element that takes a high polish, occurring principally in chromite: used in steel alloys and electroplating to increase hardness and corrosion-resistance. Symbol: Cr; atomic no: 24; atomic wt: 51.9961; valency: 2, 3, or 6; relative density: 7.18–7.20; melting pt: 1863±20°C; boiling pt: 2672°C

chromium

1. A hard, shiny, steel-gray metallic element that is rust-resistant and does not tarnish easily. It is used to plate other metals, to harden steel, and to make stainless steel and other alloys. Atomic number 24; atomic weight 51.996; melting point 1,890°C; boiling point 2,482°C; specific gravity 7.18; valence 2, 3, 6.

2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromium¹

First recorded in 1800–10; chrome + -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromium¹

C19: from New Latin, from French: _chrome

Example Sentences

In particular, they cited the government’s evaluation of chemicals including formaldehyde, inorganic arsenic and hexavalent chromium, which can be used or created by industrial processes.

From Los Angeles Times

Eventually she is subsumed into this alien universe, a creature of nature who allows birds to roost on her chromium shoulder.

From Los Angeles Times

The test results also found high levels of chromium — which, in some chemical configurations, is a carcinogen — on one campus.

From Los Angeles Times

Most notably, chromium 6 is used as a durable, anti-corrosive coating — known as chrome — for a variety of automotive and aviation parts, as well as a protective coating to lumber products.

From Los Angeles Times

At the Santa Monica Pier and Dockweiler Beach, both of which are south of the burn scar, levels of both lead and chromium were roughly triple California’s safety threshold for marine life.

From Los Angeles Times