tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtan-tə-ləm 

: a gray-white ductile acid-resisting metallic element found combined in rare minerals (such as tantalite and columbite) and used especially in electronic components see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of tantalum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the better one was a 20-piece limited edition in a tantalum case. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026

Congo is a major supplier of coltan, a metallic ore that contains the rare metal tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

More than 15% of the world’s supply of tantalum comes from Rubaya’s mines. —Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

The team tested the method on six different MXenes, including titanium carbide, niobium carbide, vanadium carbide, tantalum carbide, and titanium carbonitride. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin Tantalus; from its inability to absorb acid

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm 

: a gray-white metallic element found in rare minerals and used especially in electronic devices see element

Medical Definition

tantalum

noun

tan·​ta·​lum ˈtant-ᵊl-əm 

: a hard ductile gray-white acid-resisting metallic element of the vanadium family found combined in rare minerals and sometimes used in surgical implants and sutures

—symbol Ta see Chemical Elements Table