: 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
The element helium was first detected in the Sun’s chromosphere by a French astronomer in India during a 1868 total solar eclipse in India.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
During a total solar eclipse in 1868, a French astronomer became the first person to observe helium, spotting the element in the spectrum of the usually invisible corona.
—Yaakov Zinberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Astrobotic now suspects a valve failure caused a rush of high-pressure helium to flood into and rupture Peregrine’s fuel tank.
—Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2024
Past eclipses have enabled scientists to study the sun’s structure, provide the first proof of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and even discover helium decades before the element was found on Earth.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
As of March 11, 2022, the city of Encinitas prohibited stores from selling balloons filled with helium or gas, which is lighter than air.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The other is the high-pressure test in which helium is pumped through the system to see if gas leaks out.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Business filings and his LinkedIn profile suggest Gray left the venture to launch a helium and natural gas company.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Then there’s research to consider, as well as the ballooning cost of helium itself.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
During a total solar eclipse in 1868, a French astronomer became the first person to observe helium, spotting the element in the spectrum of the usually invisible corona.
—Yaakov Zinberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Astrobotic now suspects a valve failure caused a rush of high-pressure helium to flood into and rupture Peregrine’s fuel tank.
—Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2024
Past eclipses have enabled scientists to study the sun’s structure, provide the first proof of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and even discover helium decades before the element was found on Earth.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
As of March 11, 2022, the city of Encinitas prohibited stores from selling balloons filled with helium or gas, which is lighter than air.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The other is the high-pressure test in which helium is pumped through the system to see if gas leaks out.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Business filings and his LinkedIn profile suggest Gray left the venture to launch a helium and natural gas company.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Then there’s research to consider, as well as the ballooning cost of helium itself.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024
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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Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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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