: a chemical element of the noble gas group with atomic number 2 that is found especially in natural gases and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons, as a coolant for superconductors, and as a component of inert atmospheres (as in welding)
—often used before another noun
helium balloons
helium gas
see Chemical Elements Table
Examples of helium in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But troubles the vehicle experienced en route, including helium leaks and thrusters that abruptly stopped working, have raised questions about how the back half of the mission will play out.
—
Jackie Wattles, CNN, 19 June 2024
During this test, engineers found that helium leak rates inside Starliner's Service Module were lower than the last time the vehicle was powered on.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 June 2024
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to remain docked to the International Space Station for about a week, is getting some extra time in space, NASA said Tuesday, as officials troubleshoot helium leaks and study why some thrusters failed during the test flight.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 18 June 2024
The astronauts launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5, but on the way to docking at the ISS on June 6, the capsule experienced a series of helium leaks and thruster failures on its propulsion service module.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for helium 
Jackie Wattles, CNN, 19 June 2024
During this test, engineers found that helium leak rates inside Starliner's Service Module were lower than the last time the vehicle was powered on.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 June 2024
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to remain docked to the International Space Station for about a week, is getting some extra time in space, NASA said Tuesday, as officials troubleshoot helium leaks and study why some thrusters failed during the test flight.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 18 June 2024
The astronauts launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5, but on the way to docking at the ISS on June 6, the capsule experienced a series of helium leaks and thruster failures on its propulsion service module.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for helium
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to helium
Dictionary Entries Near helium
Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 1 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
helium
noun
he·li·um
ˈhē-lē-əm 
: a light colorless nonflammable gaseous element found especially in natural gases and used chiefly for inflating airships and balloons, for filling incandescent lamps, and for cryogenic research
—symbol He
see Chemical Elements Table
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share