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

Recent studies have found dark chocolate and similar cocoa products are contaminated with lead and cadmium, two neurotoxic metals that are linked to cancer, chronic disease, or reproductive and developmental issues, especially in children. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

Certain foods can be a significant dietary source of mercury, cadmium, or arsenic (seafood for mercury, rice and other grains for the latter two). —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024

Then in April, watchdog group Consumer Reports found high levels of sodium, lead and cadmium in store versions of Lunchables. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024

Heavy metal contamination: In addition to mercury, sardines may be contaminated by other heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 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