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 wardens collected samples from the puddles, which tested positive for cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, mercury and iron. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Since there are no federal limits for how much lead and cadmium there can be in food, Consumer Reports used California's standard maximum allowable dose levels — 0.5 micrograms per day for lead and 4.1 micrograms per day for cadmium. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 10 Jan. 2024

Another concern is that many sources of calcium also contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. —Casey Seiden, Parents, 30 May 2024

When this occurs, acid and metals—including zinc, nickel, copper, cadmium, iron and aluminum—are released from the loosening soil and exposed to water and oxygen through weathering. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2024

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