cadmium

noun

cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bismuth sulfide provides environmental and manufacturing advantages as an Earth-abundant and non-toxic alternative to materials containing lead or cadmium. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 Incinerator ash can be highly toxic and contain high concentrations of lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 Very little cadmium is absorbed through the skin; ingestion and inhalation pose greater risks. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Last week, Yuan published a research paper on the long-term effects of cadmium poisoning suffered by herself, her mother and her father. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cadmium

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cadmium was in 1818

Phrases Containing cadmium

Browse Nearby Words

cadmiferous
cadmium
cadmium blende
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cadmium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cadmium. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cadmium

noun
cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: a bluish white metallic element used especially in protective coatings see element

Medical Definition

cadmium

noun
cad·​mi·​um ˈkad-mē-əm How to pronounce cadmium (audio)
: a bluish white malleable ductile toxic bivalent metallic element used especially in protective platings and in bearing metals
—symbol Cd see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on cadmium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cadmium

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