oxide
[C/U] Both
pl: oxides
This term describes a specific chemical relationship where oxygen binds to a metal or non-metal. It carries a clinical, scientific tone and is almost exclusively used in chemistry, geology, or materials science. It implies a state of stability or a result of oxidation, such as the protective layer on aluminum or the degradation of steel. In industrial contexts, the word often evokes images of powders, ceramics, or metallic coatings. While oxidation is the process of reacting with oxygen, the oxide is the tangible material left behind after that process is complete.
Countable when referring to a specific chemical species like iron oxide. Uncountable when referring to the general class of materials used in a manufacturing process.