helium

noun

he·​li·​um ˈhē-lē-əm 

ˈhēl-yəm

: 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

Beyond energy, lingering uncertainty regarding the security of the strait will affect other goods, ranging from fertilizer and jet fuel to helium and aluminum. —Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

EeroQ is making its chips with lots of tiny pools that can hold a drop of liquid helium. —ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026

The device uses high-voltage electricity to ionize a mixture of helium, air, and water vapor. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026

The company was grounded for three and a half months while engineers sought out the cause of the blast—which was traced to a rupture in a helium tank. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek hēlios

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for helium

• cilium

Kids Definition

helium

noun

he·​li·​um ˈhē-lē-əm 

: a light colorless nonflammable element that is found in various natural gases and is used especially to blow up balloons see element

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