indium

noun

in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm 

: a silvery malleable fusible chiefly trivalent metallic element that occurs especially in sphalerite ores and is used especially as a plating material, in alloys, and in electronics see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of indium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although China is a source of indium, U.S. allies South Korea, Japan and Canada are also major suppliers of the metal used to produce TV and phone screens. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

And the commerce ministry and customs administration jointly announced fresh export controls on a handful of rare metals, including tungsten, indium and molybdenum. —John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025

The researchers specify the battery being used for testing; one electrode is an indium/lithium metal foil, and the other is a mix of carbon, sulfur, and the glass electrolyte. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025

Others less so: Tiny flecks of indium make the screen sensitive to the touch of a finger. —Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary ind- + New Latin -ium

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indium

• indium antimonide

Kids Definition

indium

noun

in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm 

: a soft silvery metallic element see element

Medical Definition

indium

noun

in·​di·​um ˈin-dē-əm 

: a malleable fusible silvery metallic element that is chiefly trivalent, occurs especially in sphalerite ores, and is used as a plating for bearings, in alloys having a low melting point, and in making transistors

—symbol In see Chemical Elements Table