Definition

1. Noun:
   • A heavy grey-white metallic element: Tungsten is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. It is a hard, dense, and rare metal known for its high melting point, the highest of all metals.
   • Primary use in electrical applications: In its pure form, it is used primarily for electrical purposes, such as filaments in incandescent light bulbs and contacts in electrical circuits.
   • Occurrence in ores: It is not found freely in nature but is obtained from minerals like wolframite and scheelite.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The filament of the old light bulb was made of tungsten.
  • Tungsten's exceptional hardness makes it suitable for cutting tools.
  • The primary ore for extracting tungsten is wolframite.

Advanced Usage

• "Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding": A welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld.

  • Precision metalwork often requires TIG welding.

• "Tungsten carbide": An extremely hard compound of tungsten and carbon, used in industrial machinery, cutting tools, and abrasives.

  • The drill bit is tipped with tungsten carbide for durability.

Variants and Related Words

• Wolfram (n): An alternative name for the element tungsten, used especially in German and some technical contexts.
  • The symbol 'W' for tungsten comes from its alternative name, wolfram.

Synonyms

• Wolfram: The other primary name for the element.
• Heavy metal: A descriptive term for its physical property (though this is a broad category, not a direct synonym).

Noun

1. a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite