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

Several also contained measurable cadmium and arsenic, with cadmium levels in some cases more than twice what public health authorities consider potentially harmful daily exposure. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025

Samples of the supplements were tested for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and other elements, as well as amount of protein per serving. —Health Editorial Team, Health, 17 Oct. 2025

Vega's Premium Sport powder was also tested by the organization, and the results found that the level of cadmium in the product was enough to be over the acceptable level. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025

In most states, legal weed must be independently tested for contaminants, such as lead and cadmium. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

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