: a chemical element of the noble gas group with atomic number 2 that is found especially in natural gases and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons, as a coolant for superconductors, and as a component of inert atmospheres (as in welding)
—often used before another noun
helium balloons
helium gas
see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of helium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Space & Astronomy More NASA says helium leak poses no safety threat to Boeing's Starliner capsule
A rare 6-planet alignment will occur soon.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 May 2024
The cause is the same as the last couple of delays: a leak of helium from the craft’s service module.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for helium 
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 May 2024
The cause is the same as the last couple of delays: a leak of helium from the craft’s service module.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for helium
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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Medical Definition
helium
noun
he·li·um
ˈhē-lē-əm 
: a light colorless nonflammable gaseous element found especially in natural gases and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons, for filling incandescent lamps, and for cryogenic research
—symbol He
see Chemical Elements Table
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