chromium

[kroh-mee-uh m] /ˈkroʊ mi əm/

noun

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. Symbol: Cr; atomic weight: 51.996; atomic number: 24; specific gravity: 7.1.

chrome (def 2).

Origin

1800-10; chrome + -ium

Examples from the web for chromium

Isolation and partial characterization of chromium complex from alfalfa.
And dragon blood is intensely acidic, which means that you'd want the corrosion resistance offered by high-chromium steel.
chromium and nickel can find their way out of steel, but the amounts would be miniscule to nil.
Arsenic, radon and chromium are carcinogens, uranium and cadmium can damage kidneys and manganese might have neurological effects.
They will measure the ratios of chromium isotopes, and look for one that is characteristic of meteorites.
Though native chromium deposits are rare, some native chromium metal has been discovered.
chromium is what makes a ruby red, and therefore is used in producing synthetic rubies.

British Dictionary definitions for chromium

chromium

/ˈkrəʊmɪəm/

noun

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

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from French: chrome

Word Origin and History for chromium

metallic element, 1807, with metallic elemental suffix -ium + French chrome (Fourcroy and Haüy), from Greek chroma "color" (see chrome; also see chroma). So called for its colorful compounds. Related: Chromite.

chromium in Medicine

chromium chro·mi·um (krō'mē-əm)
n.
Symbol Cr
A lustrous hard metallic element, resistant to tarnish and corrosion and found primarily in chromite. It is used to harden steel alloys, in decorative platings, and as a pigment in glass. Atomic number 24; atomic weight 51.996; melting point 1,907°C; boiling point 2,671°C; specific gravity 7.18; valence 2, 3, 6.

chromium in Science

chromium

(krō'mē-əm)
Symbol Cr
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. See Periodic Table.