bismuth

noun
bis·​muth | \ ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio) \

Definition of bismuth

: a grayish-white brittle heavy chiefly trivalent metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals — see Chemical Elements Table

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Other Words from bismuth

bismuthic \ biz-​ˈmə-​thik How to pronounce bismuthic (audio) , -​ˈmyü-​ \ adjective

Examples of bismuth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The authors tested a variety of solvents (indium, bismuth, lead, silver, and more) as well as nickel, copper, and platinum catalysts. John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Converting natural gas to hydrogen without any carbon emissions," 17 Nov. 2017 At the time, according to Jefferson Lab, it was commonly thought that the bismuth present with cobalt was what gave the ceramics their color. Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "Creating a Full Palette of Blues," 26 June 2017 Such haphazard poisoning of our wildlife can be avoided if sport hunters switch to widely available non-toxic ammunition, such as steel, copper, and bismuth. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "So, Scalia Was a Stonecutter?," 25 Feb. 2016 Goodyear is looking to use thermoelectric materials (like bismuth telluride and tin selenide), to generate electricity from the difference between the hottest and coolest parts of the rubber. Alex Davies, WIRED, "Goodyear Is Trying to Make an Electricity-Generating Tire," 12 Mar. 2015 At the time, according to Jefferson Lab, it was commonly thought that the bismuth present with cobalt was what gave the ceramics their color. Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "Creating a Full Palette of Blues," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bismuth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bismuth

1668, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bismuth

New Latin bismuthum, modification of German Wismut

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More Definitions for bismuth

bismuth

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bismuth

: a grayish-white metallic element that is used in alloys and drugs

bismuth

noun
bis·​muth | \ ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio) \

Kids Definition of bismuth

: a heavy grayish white metallic chemical element that is used in alloys and in medicines

bismuth

noun
bis·​muth | \ ˈbiz-məth How to pronounce bismuth (audio) \

Medical Definition of bismuth

: a heavy brittle grayish white chiefly trivalent metallic element that is chemically like arsenic and antimony and that is used in alloys and pharmaceuticals symbol Bi — see Chemical Elements Table

Other Words from bismuth

bismuthic \ biz-​ˈməth-​ik How to pronounce bismuthic (audio) , -​ˈmyü-​thik How to pronounce bismuthic (audio) \ adjective

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