: 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
Lockyer named it helium, after Helios, the Greek god of the sun.
—
Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
The community access program's normal hosts, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, sucked helium from balloons with Colbert while discussing Baumann's battle with cancer.
—CBS News, 23 May 2026
The community access program’s normal hosts, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, sucked helium from balloons with Colbert while discussing Baumann’s battle with cancer.
—Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The princess, who shares her father's ginger locks, wore her hair long and loose and clutched a big bunch of red helium balloons.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for helium
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Quanta Magazine, 28 May 2026
The community access program's normal hosts, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, sucked helium from balloons with Colbert while discussing Baumann's battle with cancer.
—CBS News, 23 May 2026
The community access program’s normal hosts, Michelle Baumann and former Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson, sucked helium from balloons with Colbert while discussing Baumann’s battle with cancer.
—Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The princess, who shares her father's ginger locks, wore her hair long and loose and clutched a big bunch of red helium balloons.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for helium
Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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