cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: 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

This includes screening for heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, along with other potential contaminants. — Jess Cording, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Nowadays, most nonstick pans are made with a non-toxic coating free from PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. — Kelly Vaughan, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026

This is compared with the FDA maximum set for bottled water, which was used as a measure because no FDA regulations for heavy metals in baby food existed, of 10 ppb inorganic arsenic, 5 ppb lead, and 5 ppb cadmium. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 June 2026

If passed, Assembly Bill 2302 would require manufacturers to post the levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in each formula batch online. — Rachel Fobar, Daily News, 7 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing cadmium

• cadmium sulfide
• cadmium telluride

Kids Definition

cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: a bluish white metallic element used especially in protective coatings see element

Medical Definition

cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: a bluish white malleable ductile toxic bivalent metallic element used especially in protective platings and in bearing metals

—symbol Cd see Chemical Elements Table