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 ( def 2 ).

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

/ krō′mē-əm /

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

One in particular — Phos-Chek LC-95W — had “potentially alarming” concentrations of several metals, including chromium, cadmium and vanadium, he said, adding that the substance could be classified as hazardous waste under federal and California regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

The latest announcement comes after the FDA issued a public health alert back in March on six brands of cinnamon products that had elevated levels of lead and chromium.

From Salon

These, Campbell said, will “give you an indication of a handful of the most common 12 to 15 contaminants like lead, arsenic, chromium, nitrate possibly.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those metals included cadmium, uranium, arsenic, vanadium, and chromium.

From Science Daily

The scientists documented high levels of a hazardous form of the metal chromium at wildfire sites resulting from heat-induced transformation of naturally occurring, benign forms of chromium.

From Science Daily