beryllium
noun
be·ryl·li·um
bə-ˈri-lē-əm 
: a chemical element of the alkaline earth metal group with atomic number 4 that occurs naturally in minerals such as beryl and is steel-gray in color, light and strong but brittle, and is used chiefly as a hardening agent in alloys see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of beryllium in a Sentence
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Shilie stated that potassium beryllium fluoroborate (KBBF) was the only practical crystal capable of generating laser output below 200 nanometers through direct frequency doubling.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The surrounding torus is formed from a semicrystalline polymer that’s coated with beryllium using Physical Vapor Deposition.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The antennas are made of a beryllium copper alloy, chosen for its high conductivity and stability as lunar temperatures plummet or soar by as much as 250 °C every time the sun rises or sets.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2026
Some have been particularly alarmed by the presence of beryllium, a carcinogen that isn’t commonly tested for after wildfires.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
The surrounding torus is formed from a semicrystalline polymer that’s coated with beryllium using Physical Vapor Deposition.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The antennas are made of a beryllium copper alloy, chosen for its high conductivity and stability as lunar temperatures plummet or soar by as much as 250 °C every time the sun rises or sets.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2026
Some have been particularly alarmed by the presence of beryllium, a carcinogen that isn’t commonly tested for after wildfires.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beryllium
Cite this Entry
“Beryllium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beryllium. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beryllium
noun
be·ryl·li·um
bə-ˈril-ē-əm
: a steel-gray light strong brittle toxic metallic element used chiefly to help harden alloys see element
Medical Definition
beryllium
noun
be·ryl·li·um
bə-ˈril-ē-əm
: a steel-gray light strong brittle toxic bivalent metallic element used chiefly as a hardening agent in alloys
—symbol Be
see Chemical Elements Table
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