sulfur
noun
sul·fur
| \ ˈsəl-fər
\
\
variants:
or chiefly British sulphur
Definition of sulfur
: a nonmetallic element that occurs either free or combined especially in sulfides and sulfates, is a constituent of proteins, exists in several allotropic forms including yellow orthorhombic crystals, resembles oxygen chemically but is less active and more acidic, and is used especially in the chemical and paper industries, in rubber vulcanization, and in medicine for treating skin diseases — see Chemical Elements Table
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Other Words from sulfur
sulfury
or chiefly British sulphury \ ˈsəl-fər-ē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of sulfur in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, researchers have tried to probe the past by looking at sedimentary proxies: iron, carbon or sulfur compounds in geological strata with properties that can be measured and put into models to infer ancient oxygen levels. — Quanta Magazine, "Rapid Oxygen Changes Fueled an Explosion in Ancient Animal Diversity," 27 Aug. 2019 Whereas aluminum bonds with oxygen and resists water, copper bonds with sulfur, dissolves in water and washes away. — Quanta Magazine, "In a Grain, a Glimpse of the Cosmos," 13 June 2014 These sulfur compounds interact with copper, so dropping a penny in the glass can reduce or eliminate the offending aromas. — Michael Alberty | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Home winemakers go for gold at Oregon State Fair competition," 14 Aug. 2019 Crater Rim Drive hugs the edge of Kilauea Caldera and leads to viewpoints where visitors can gaze into the belly of the beast and inhale its pungent sulfur scent. — National Geographic, "Everything to know about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park," 15 July 2019 That’s a sulfur spring that once flowed at Roosevelt Park, where Virginia Sierra’s mother would draw water to treat sores on her brother’s knees. — Deborah Martin, ExpressNews.com, "South Side senior center mural a trip through time, San Antonio style," 10 July 2019 Instead, researchers have tried to probe the past by looking at sedimentary proxies: iron, carbon or sulfur compounds in geological strata with properties that can be measured and put into models to infer ancient oxygen levels. — Quanta Magazine, "Rapid Oxygen Changes Fueled an Explosion in Ancient Animal Diversity," 9 May 2019 Even the sulfur stench that usually pervades the air in Trona is more noticeable by its absence. — Gustavo Arellano, latimes.com, "Massive earthquakes cracked the very foundations of the tiny but tough town of Trona," 8 July 2019 Kindeli is one of the only true natural wines being imported from New Zealand, where it’s made with organically farmed fruit and no sulfur additions. — Marissa A. Ross, Bon Appétit, "I Shouldn't Be Writing About These New Zealand Wines, But I Just Can't Not," 18 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sulfur.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for sulfur
sulfur
noun
English Language Learners Definition of sulfur
chemistry
: a yellow chemical element that has a strong, unpleasant odor when it is burned and that is used in making paper, gunpowder, medicine, etc.
See the full definition for sulfur in the English Language Learners Dictionary
sulfur
noun
sul·fur
variants:
also sulphur \ ˈsəl-fər \
Kids Definition of sulfur
: a yellow chemical element that is found widely in nature and is used in making chemicals and paper
sulfur
noun
sul·fur
variants:
or chiefly British sulphur \ ˈsəl-fər
\
\
Medical Definition of sulfur
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a nonmetallic element that occurs either free or combined especially in sulfides and sulfates, is a constituent of proteins, exists in several allotropic forms including yellow orthorhombic crystals, resembles oxygen chemically but is less active and more acidic, and is used especially in the chemical and paper industries, in rubber vulcanization, and in medicine for treating skin diseases
—symbol S
— see Chemical Elements Table
sulfur
adjective
variants:
or chiefly British sulphur
Medical Definition of sulfur (Entry 2 of 2)
: of, relating to, or resembling sulfur : containing or impregnated with sulfur
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