# tungsten

/ˈtəŋstən/ (US) · /tˈʌŋstən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tungsten
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a very hard, heavy, grey metal that can handle extremely high temperatures. It is often used to make the thin wires inside light bulbs.

For teachers: a hard, dense, greyish-white metallic element with the highest melting point of all metals. Often used in alloys and electrical applications due to its thermal stability.

## Examples

- The filament in this old light bulb is made of tungsten.
- Engineers chose tungsten for the rocket nozzle because it can withstand the intense heat of the exhaust.
- Due to its exceptional hardness and density, tungsten is frequently utilized in the production of heavy metal alloys for aerospace and defense applications.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the chemical element; can be countable when referring to specific types or grades of the metal in industrial contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.