cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: a toxic bluish-white malleable ductile divalent metallic element used especially in batteries, pigments, and protective platings see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of cadmium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The material is also free of latex, PVC, lead, and cadmium, which is nice to know if your back seat is mostly kids and dogs. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 10 Nov. 2026

Certain phosphate rocks used in fertilizer production naturally contain cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in agricultural soils over time. — Rafael De Toledo, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026

Its thin-film cadmium-telluride technology doesn't rely on the silicon supply chain. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Various reports have found that some protein powders contain concerning levels of harmful metals, such as cadmium and lead. — Maggie Donahue, HEALTH, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin cadmia zinc oxide, from Greek kadmeia, literally, Theban (earth), from feminine of kadmeios Theban, from Kadmos; from the occurrence of its ores together with zinc oxide

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cadmium

• cadmium sulfide
• cadmium telluride

Kids Definition

cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: a bluish white metallic element used especially in protective coatings see element

Medical Definition

cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm 

: a bluish white malleable ductile toxic bivalent metallic element used especially in protective platings and in bearing metals

—symbol Cd see Chemical Elements Table