Definition

A hard, silvery-white metal that is used to make stronger steel and is important for plant nutrition. It is found in fertilizers and other materials.

Example

Molybdenum is often added to steel to improve its strength and resistance to heat.

Conversation

I just read about a metal called molybdenum that’s really interesting.

Oh really? What’s it used for?

It’s used to toughen steel and is also important for plants.

That's cool! I had no idea it had such a big role in agriculture.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Molybdenum comes from the Greek word "molybdos" (meaning lead), which was used to refer to the mineral galena, and the suffix "-ium" (a common suffix used in chemistry to denote metallic elements). The word "molybdenum" refers to a metallic element that was originally associated with lead-like minerals.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for lead ('molybdos') to remember that molybdenum is a metal related to lead.

Visually Confused Words