niobium

American  

[nahy-oh-bee-uhm] / naɪˈoʊ bi əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a steel-gray metallic element resembling tantalum in its chemical properties; becomes a superconductor below 9 K; used chiefly in alloy steels. Nb; 41; 92.906; 8.4 at 20°C.

---

niobium British  

/ naɪˈəʊbɪəm /

noun

1. Former name: columbium.  a ductile white superconductive metallic element that occurs principally in columbite and tantalite: used in steel alloys. Symbol: Nb; atomic no: 41; atomic wt: 92.90638; valency: 2, 3, or 5; relative density: 8.57; melting pt: 2469±10°C; boiling pt: 4744°C

---

niobium Scientific  

/ nī-ō′bē-əm /

1. A soft, silvery, ductile metallic element that usually occurs in nature together with the element tantalum. It is used to build nuclear reactors, to make steel alloys, and to allow magnets to conduct electricity with almost no resistance. Atomic number 41; atomic weight 92.906; melting point 2,468°C; boiling point 4,927°C; specific gravity 8.57; valence 2, 3, 5.

2. See Periodic Table

---

Etymology

Origin of niobium

From New Latin, dating back to 1835–45; Niobe, -ium

Example Sentences

In addition to lithium, Somaliland is rich in tantalum and niobium -- critical minerals for electronics -- as well as gold, copper, and emeralds, according to the ministry, though quantities have yet to be verified.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Overall, 25 of 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission are found in Greenland, including graphite, niobium and titanium, according to the 2023 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Ionic MT said it discovered high grades of 16 different types of minerals, everything from lithium to alumina, germanium, rubidium, cesium, vanadium and niobium at the site in Utah’s Silicon Ridge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

"This was a promising first foray, having resurrected niobium junctions. … With niobium-based qubits' broad operational reach, we open up a whole new set of capabilities for future quantum technologies."

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2024

Are there planets where the inhabitants proudly display pendants of niobium and bracelets of protactinium, while gold is a laboratory curiosity?

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan