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

Related article Organic and regular dark chocolate contaminated by lead and cadmium, study finds There is no level of lead that is safe for humans, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Sep. 2024

Samples taken from sump, soil and floor drains around the building revealed a mix of the hazardous chemicals that were stored inside, including waste oil, arsenic, copper, lead and cadmium, along with the two herbicides that make up Agent Orange. —Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

Key Takeaways Many of the dark chocolate products tested in a new study contain lead and cadmium, with some organic products showing higher contamination levels. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2024

Even organic versions of the treat are contaminated by the neurotoxic metals lead and cadmium, a study finds. —Meghan Pryce, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024

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