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

Solar panels contain small amounts of silver, lead and cadmium, heavy metals that are hazardous to ingest. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 5 June 2026

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

Labels that include third-party testing, Prop 65 compliance and lead/cadmium-free are also ideal. — Ryan Brennan june 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026

The material uses cadmium as a test element, which would need to be replaced with safer alternatives before real-world deployment. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 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