ruthenium

noun

ru·​the·​ni·​um rü-ˈthē-nē-əm How to pronounce ruthenium (audio)
: a rare hard silvery-white metallic element occurring in platinum ores and used especially as a catalyst and to harden alloys see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of ruthenium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Platinum is part of the six platinum-group metals (PGM), including palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, and osmium. Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 Ruthenium, top vias, and air gaps Among the replacements for copper, ruthenium has gained a following. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023 After all, the supplies of precious metals contained in asteroids, such as platinum, cobalt and ruthenium, are nearly endless. Troy Farah, Discover Magazine, 2 July 2019 But research is showing that the old formulas used to build copper interconnects are a disadvantage to ruthenium. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2023 Although fullerene wheels must be attached in the final synthetic step, p-carborane- and ruthenium-based wheels do not inhibit organometallic coupling reactions, which allows a more convergent synthesis of molecular machines. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruthenium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin Ruthenia Ruthenia

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruthenium was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near ruthenium

Cite this Entry

“Ruthenium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruthenium. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ruthenium

noun
ru·​the·​ni·​um rü-ˈthē-nē-əm How to pronounce ruthenium (audio)
: a hard brittle grayish rare metallic element used especially in alloys and catalysts see element

Medical Definition

ruthenium

noun
ru·​the·​ni·​um rü-ˈthē-nē-əm How to pronounce ruthenium (audio)
: a hard brittle grayish polyvalent rare metallic element occurring in platinum ores and used in hardening platinum alloys
symbol Ru
see Chemical Elements Table

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