gadolinium

noun

gad·​o·​lin·​i·​um ˌga-də-ˈli-nē-əm 

: a magnetic metallic element of the rare-earth group occurring in combination in monazite and several other minerals see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of gadolinium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The mud is believed to contain dysprosium and neodymium, which are used in electric vehicle motor magnets, as well as gadolinium and terbium, used in various high-tech products, Ishii said. — Yuka Obayashi, Reuters, 4 July 2025

At her scan, the veterinary nurse from the English town of Camberley was injected with gadolinium — a common ingredient in contrast dye — to provide clearer images. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026

Beijing’s control of neodymium, praseodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, and yttrium oxides is virtually total. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 10 May 2026

The University of New Mexico (UNM) study explored health risks caused by toxic rare earth metal gadolinium, which is used in MRI imaging. — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

gadolin- (in gadolinite, after Johan Gadolin †1852 Finnish chemist and mineralogist) + New Latin -ium -ium

Note: Named by the Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac (1817-94); see "Le Y α de M. de Marignac est définitivement nommé gadolinium," Note de M. Lecoq de Boisbaudran, Comptes Rendus hebdomadaires des séances de lʼAcadémie des Sciences, tome 102 (janvier-juin 1886), p. 902.

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gadolinium

• actinium
• dominium
• condominium
• pyridinium
• minium

Kids Definition

gadolinium

noun

gad·​o·​lin·​i·​um ˌgad-ᵊl-ˈin-ē-əm 

: a magnetic metallic chemical element see element

Medical Definition

gadolinium

noun

gad·​o·​lin·​i·​um ˌgad-ᵊl-ˈin-ē-əm 

: a magnetic metallic element of the rare-earth group

—symbol Gd see Chemical Elements Table