zirconium Definition
zir·co·nium (zər kō′nē əm)
noun
a hard, ductile, gray or black, metallic chemical element found combined in zircon, etc., and used in alloys, ceramics, the cladding for nuclear fuel in reactors, etc.: symbol, Zr; at. no., 40
Etymology: ModL < zirconia + -ium: name proposed (1808) by Sir Humphry Davy for element later isolated (1824) by Baron Jöns Jakob Berzelius
zirconium Related Forms
zir·con′ic (-kän′ik) adjective
zirconium Usage Examples
Converse of object
find: Later they find the zirconium that Roger brought home and conclude that he is the thief.
Adjective modifier
cubic: Victoria came on the phone and said they wanted cubic zirconium on the detailing, and a large Union Jack somewhere too.
Modifies a noun
- ring: Features abbreviated slimline EVA handle, Fuji GPS reel fitting, and Zirconium rings.
- oxide: Zirconia Overview Zirconia is an ionic ceramic, zirconium oxide.
- silicate: The sample was mechanically polished and mounted by means of a zirconium silicate ceramic cement.
- dioxide: It is difficult to produce because it requires very high temperatures, over 2,700 Celsius, to melt powdered zirconium and zirconium dioxide.
- production: Zirconium production, other than production of fuel cladding, is not subject to declaration or inspection.
- fuel: Within four seconds, steam pressure and power readings went off the scale; the zirconium fuel assemblies and the channels containing them disintegrated.
Noun used with modifier
- element: It is the oxide of the metallic element zirconium.
- %: Grade 19 Titanium alloy including 3 % aluminum, 8 % vanadium, 6 % chromium, 4 % zirconium, 4 % molybdenum.
- aluminum: Kind to you - great for sensitive skin PitRok does not contain aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium that many people find irritating.

