cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: a toxic bluish-white malleable ductile divalent metallic element used especially in batteries, pigments, and protective platings see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of cadmium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Why Does My Water Smell Fishy? Presence of Barium or Cadmium Barium or cadmium in the water can cause a fishy smell. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024 Now, a new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide — cardiovascular disease. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024 Wind kicked up clouds of dust contaminated with arsenic, cadmium, and other potentially toxic elements. Byroberto González, science.org, 25 July 2024 The daily maximum allowable dose for lead is 0.5 micrograms (mcg) and 4.1 mcg for cadmium. Korin Miller, Health, 29 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for cadmium 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cadmium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin cadmia zinc oxide, from Greek kadmeia, literally, Theban (earth), from feminine of kadmeios Theban, from Kadmos; from the occurrence of its ores together with zinc oxide

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadmium was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near cadmium

Cite this Entry

“Cadmium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadmium. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cadmium

noun
cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: a bluish white metallic element used especially in protective coatings see element

Medical Definition

cadmium

noun
cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: a bluish white malleable ductile toxic bivalent metallic element used especially in protective platings and in bearing metals
symbol Cd
see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on cadmium

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