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

In an investigation of a range of these products, published Wednesday in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, the researchers found that several contained high levels of at least one metal, including chromium and cadmium. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

The National Cancer Institute notes on its site that cadmium is known to cause cancer. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

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

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