helium

noun he·li·um \ ˈhē-lē-əm , ˈhēl-yəm \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of helium

: a light colorless inert gaseous element found especially in natural gases and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons, in lamps, in cryogenic research, and as a component of inert atmospheres (as in welding) — see Chemical Elements Table

See helium defined for English-language learners

See helium defined for kids

Recent Examples of helium from the Web

Inside the scanner are superconductors, loops of ultrasensitive magnetic sensors that need to be kept extremely cold by liquid helium.

— michael price, Science | AAAS, "This wearable brain scanner could transform our understanding of how neurons ‘talk’," 21 Mar. 2018
Bayley said cruisers who ride the helium balloon attraction into the air will experience the highest vantage point in the Caribbean.

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "Royal Caribbean plans massive overhaul of private island CocoCay," 14 Mar. 2018
Each held a sign with a victim’s name and picture, and each clutched an orange helium balloon.

— joe heim, Washington Post, "Thousands of students walk out of school in nationwide gun violence protest," 14 Mar. 2018
In 2011, as Nicholas and Joseph Brooks both awaited trial for horrible crimes committed against women, the elder was found dead with a plastic bag over his head lying next to a hose attached to a helium tank, a suicide note nearby.

— refinery29.com, "Like Father, Like Son: The Murder Of Sylvie Cachay At The Hands Of Nicholas Brooks," 26 Mar. 2018
Also at the resort will be the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, zip line, helium balloon and more.

— bfran golden, chicagotribune.com, "CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island, getting $200 million renovation," 22 Mar. 2018
Also on the island will be a helium balloon that rises to 450 feet, a 1,600-foot-long zip line featuring a splash landing in the harbor, a new set of overwater cabanas and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.

— richard tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Royal Caribbean to give private Bahamas island massive makeover," 16 Mar. 2018
The weak emission of hydrogen from the explosion also suggests the star had shed most of this element and instead was mostly composed of helium.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Amateur astronomer tries out new camera, catches supernova at its start," 22 Feb. 2018
The cause, announced a month later, was the failure of a support strut holding down a cannister of helium.

— newsweek special edition, Newsweek, "Forward Thinking: 2015's Most Groundbreaking Innovations," 13 Dec. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'helium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of helium

New Latin, from Greek hēlios

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1871

See Words from the same year

HELIUM Defined for English Language Learners

helium

noun

Definition of helium for English Language Learners

: a chemical element that is a colorless gas, that is lighter than air, and that is often used to fill balloons

HELIUM Defined for Kids

helium

noun he·li·um \ ˈhē-lē-əm \

Definition of helium for Students

: a very light gaseous chemical element that is found in various natural gases, will not burn, and is used in balloons

Medical Dictionary

helium

noun he·li·um \ ˈhē-lē-əm \

medical Definition of helium

: 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