Real Dictionary

vanadium in American English
a rare, malleable, ductile, silver-white, metallic chemical element: it is alloyed with steel, to which it adds tensile strength, and is used in nuclear applications, etc.: symbol, V; at. no., 23
noun: a rare element occurring in certain minerals and obtained as a light-gray powder with a silvery luster or as a ductile metal: used as an ingredient of steel to toughen it and increase its shock resistance; at. wt.: 50.942; at. no.: 23; sp. gr.: 5.96

vanadium in British English
noun: a toxic silvery-white metallic element occurring chiefly in carnotite and vanadinite and used in steel alloys, high-speed tools, and as a catalyst. Symbol: V; atomic no: 23; atomic wt: 50.9415; valency: 2–5; relative density: 6.11; melting pt: 1910±10°C;