Phrase guide

transition element

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any element in the d block of the periodic table (i.e. groups 3 to 12 inclusive).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transition metal

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The same, but excluding the group 12 elements (i.e. groups 3 to 11 inclusive).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Any of the group of metallic elements that have an incomplete inner (d) electron shell, having multiple valencies and forming coloured compounds and stable complex ions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: oorgangselement — Translations
  • Chinese Mandarin: 過渡金屬 /过渡金属 (guòdù jīnshǔ) — Translations
  • Dutch: overgangsmetaal — Translations
  • Finnish: siirtymäalkuaine — Translations
  • Finnish: siirtymämetalli — Translations
  • French: élément de transition — Translations
  • French: métal de transition — Translations
  • Greek: μεταβατικό μέταλλο (metavatikó métallo) — Translations
  • Hungarian: átmenetifém — Translations
  • Norwegian Bokmål: innskuddsmetall — Translations
  • Norwegian Bokmål: overgangsmetall — Translations
  • Norwegian Bokmål: transisjonsmetall — Translations
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: innskotsmetall — Translations
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: transisjonsmetall — Translations
  • Polish: pierwiastek przejściowy — Translations
  • Romanian: element de tranziție — Translations
  • Romanian: metal de tranziție — Translations
  • Serbo-Croatian: prijelazni element — Translations
  • Serbo-Croatian: prijelazni metal — Translations
  • Spanish: elemento de transición — Translations
  • Spanish: metal de transición — Translations
  • Vietnamese: kim loại chuyển tiếp — Translations