noble metal

noun

1. any of a number of metals, as gold, silver, mercury, or platinum, that resist oxidation when heated in air, and solution by inorganic acids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of noble metal¹

1350–1400; Middle English: precious metal

Example Sentences

The next step for the LiU researchers is to investigate whether it is possible to do the same with other noble metals and identify additional future applications.

From Science Daily

"This is an unusual observation for a molecular system based on manganese in its oxidation state +IV. Even with noble metals emission in this energy region is essentially unprecedented," said Professor Katja Heinze.

From Science Daily

Mixing the magnetic metal nickel with the noble metal gold radically changes the electronic properties.

From Science Daily

The deposits left behind are akin to the eight noble metals but even nobler: extraordinarily conductive and resistant to corrosion, with a seemingly limitless range of uses.

From New York Times

A cousin of platinum and traditionally much less expensive, palladium is part of a family of metals known as the “noble metals” because they resist corrosion and oxidation.

From New York Times