palladium

1 of 2

noun (1)

pal·​la·​di·​um pə-ˈlā-dē-əm 

1

Palladium : a statue of Pallas whose preservation was believed to ensure the safety of Troy

2

plural palladia pə-ˈlā-dē-ə  : something that affords effectual protection or security : safeguard sense 2a

… this political persecution being, somehow or other, the grand palladium of our liberties …

—Washington Irving

… lend authority to the view that the true palladium of every people is its language …

—Ferdinand Schevill

palladium

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a silver-white ductile malleable metallic element that is used especially in electrical contacts, as a catalyst, and in alloys see Chemical Elements Table

palladous

pə-ˈlā-dəs 

adjective

Did you know?

Pallas Athena was one of the poetical names given to the Greek goddess Athena (although it's no longer clear what Pallas was supposed to mean), and the original palladium was a statue of Athena that was believed to have the power to protect the ancient city of Troy. When an asteroid belt was discovered between Mars and Jupiter, most of the asteroids were named after figures in Greek mythology, and one of the first to be discovered was named Pallas in 1803. In the same year, scientists isolated a new silvery metal element, which they named palladium in honor of the recently discovered asteroid.

Synonyms of palladium

Noun (1)

• precaution

Examples of palladium in a Sentence

Noun (1)

believes that a vigorously free press is one of our nation's most vital palladia against tyranny

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One form, palladium oxide (PdO), is responsible for breaking the carbon–oxygen bonds in lignin. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026

Catalytic converters need rare elements like palladium and platinum, precious metals more at home in a jewelry box than in a car. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

The company offers gold, silver, platinum and palladium through both precious-metals IRAs and direct cash purchases for delivery or storage. —Nick Perry, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

The selloff hit copper and palladium, joining gold and silver, which have fallen since the war began. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek palladion, from Pallad-, Pallas

Noun (2)

New Latin, from Pallad-, Pallas, an asteroid

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1803, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for palladium

• vanadium
• radium
• stadium

Kids Definition

palladium

noun

pal·​la·​di·​um

pə-ˈlād-ē-əm

: a silver-white metallic element that is used especially in alloys see element

Medical Definition

palladium

noun

pal·​la·​di·​um pə-ˈlād-ē-əm 

: a silver-white ductile malleable metallic element of the platinum group that is used especially in electrical contacts, as a catalyst, and in alloys

—symbol Pd see Chemical Elements Table