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: a heavy colorless and relatively inert gaseous element that occurs in air as about one part in 20 million and is used especially in specialized electric lamps (such as flash tubes) and in scientific research see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of xenon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The variant lacks a rear fog light and window wiper but does have xenon headlights up front and an adjustable rear wing in the back.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2024
Collisions between otherwise-inert xenon nuclei and stray particles produce small bursts of light and energy—signals scientists can examine to hunt for dark matter.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2024
It is known that the inert noble gas xenon can act as anesthetic in animals and people.
—Hartmut Neven, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2024
By the early 1990s, some automakers began using xenon or high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, which were more powerful, efficient, and lasted longer than halogen.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 2 Aug. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Greek, neuter of xenos strange
First Known Use
1898, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near xenon
Cite this Entry
“Xenon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenon. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
: a heavy, colorless, and relatively inert gaseous element that occurs in air as about one part in 20 million by volume
—symbol Xe
see Chemical Elements Table
More from Merriam-Webster on xenon
Nglish: Translation of xenon for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about xenon
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