tungsten

noun

tung·sten ˈtəŋ-stən

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially in carbide materials and electrical components (such as lamp filaments) and in hardening alloys (such as steel) see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tungsten in a Sentence

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Why Historical Mineral Occurrences Are Being Revisited Many tungsten deposits were identified decades ago, during periods when commodity prices, technology, and strategic priorities were all different from today. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 The minerals in eastern Congo, not only gold but also coltan, tin and tungsten, have been a source of decades-long conflict and of economic opportunities for its residents. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Ammunition is crucial, with denser materials like tungsten proving more effective than lead against resilient carbon-fiber drones. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 So the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, who's heavily involved in these tungsten deals - his sons are profiting too. — Terry Gross, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tungsten

Word History

Etymology

Swedish, from tung heavy + sten stone

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tungsten was in 1796

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Style

“Tungsten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tungsten. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tungsten

noun

tung·sten ˈtəŋ-stən

: a gray-white heavy hard metallic element that has many characteristics similar to chromium and molybdenum and is used especially for electrical purposes and to harden metal alloys (as steel) see element

Etymology

from Swedish tungsten, literally "heavy stone," from tung "heavy" and sten "stone"

Medical Definition

tungsten

noun

tung·sten ˈtəŋ-stən

: a gray-white heavy high-melting ductile hard polyvalent metallic element that resembles chromium and molybdenum in many of its properties and is used especially for electrical purposes and in hardening alloys (as steel)

—symbol W

called also wolfram

see Chemical Elements Table

tungsten

noun

Examples of tungsten in a Sentence

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