carbide

[ kahr-bahyd, -bid ]

noun

1. a compound of carbon with a more electropositive element or group.
2. calcium carbide.
3. a very hard mixture of sintered carbides of various heavy metals, especially tungsten carbide, used for cutting edges and dies.

carbide

/ ˈkɑːbaɪd /

noun

1. a binary compound of carbon with a more electropositive element See also acetylide
2. See calcium carbide

carbide

/ kär′bīd′ /

1. A chemical compound consisting of carbon and a more electropositive element, such as calcium or tungsten. Many carbides, especially those made of carbon and a metal, are very hard and are used to make cutting tools and abrasives.

Word History and Origins

Origin of carbide¹

First recorded in 1860–65; carb- + -ide ( def )

Example Sentences

The freight train was carrying calcium carbide, a caustic, flammable chemical compound used in steel manufacturing, among other things.

From New York Times

Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe said the potential for government support has been “very important” as the company has sought to produce more silicon carbide, a material that increases the efficiency of computer chips.

From Seattle Times

The secret behind the new catalyst is molybdenum carbide, an extremely hard ceramic material.

From Science Daily

This phenomenon is called intercalation and what the researchers had discovered was titanium gold carbide.

From Science Daily

The first steps for making this particular semiconductor, known as a silicon carbide chip, happen in a factory in New Hampshire.

From Seattle Times