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

GreenPan Canterbury Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set GreenPan is known for its non-stick cookware that is uniquely constructed without PFAs and PFOAs, lead, and cadmium. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025

An analysis commissioned by Moms Across America and GMO Sciences said Girl Scout cookie samples contained heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025

The formulas are being examined for the presence of contaminants like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

Girl Scouts of America has been sued over allegations that its cookies contain pesticides and heavy metals like aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Mar. 2025

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