What does tantalum mean?
Tantalum is a chemical element, a hard and silvery-grey metal with the symbol Ta and atomic number 73. In ordinary conversation, people are most likely to encounter the word in connection with electronics, especially tantalum capacitors, which are valued for their reliability and ability to handle relatively high voltages. Tantalum is also added to alloys to improve resistance to heat and corrosion, and certain compounds of the element are used in ceramics and other specialized materials. The metal is uncommon in everyday life and is usually discussed in technical, scientific, or industrial contexts. Its name comes from Tantalus, the Greek mythological figure who was punished by being kept close to desirable things without being able to reach them. That association also lies behind the English word “tantalize,” meaning to excite hope or curiosity without satisfying the desire.
nounA hard, silvery-grey metallic chemical element of the periodic table, symbol Ta, atomic number 73. It is especially used in electronic components and in alloys valued for resistance to heat and corrosion.
- The chemical element tantalum, a hard, silvery-grey transition metal with symbol Ta and atomic number 73.
- Tantalum used as a material in electrical components, particularly capacitors, and in heat-resistant alloys.
"The circuit contains a small tantalum capacitor that helps stabilize the voltage."
"Tantalum is widely used in compact capacitors for electronic devices."
"The alloy’s resistance to high temperatures was improved by adding tantalum."
Usually used in the singular when referring to the element; the plural is uncommon and refers to separate quantities or samples.
"The laboratory compared tantalums from several different suppliers."
Tantalum is named after Tantalus, the mythological figure forever tantalized by water and fruit just beyond his reach; the same name also gave English the word “tantalize.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tantalum come from?
The element was named in the early nineteenth century by Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg, who called it after Tantalus because its compounds were famously difficult to dissolve. Tantalus was a figure in Greek mythology whose punishment involved perpetually seeing water and fruit just beyond his reach. The English verb “tantalize” was likewise formed from his name and means to provoke desire or expectation without providing the hoped-for result.
Related word forms
How tantalum is actually used
In technical writing, the lowercase form “tantalum” is used for the element; “Ta” is its chemical symbol. The term is primarily formal or specialized and is most common in chemistry, electronics, and materials science.