krypton

noun

kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän 

: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air in trace amounts and used especially in electric lamps see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of krypton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1898, two British chemists by the names of Sir William Ramsay and Morris William Travers were credited for discovering the four gases that would eventually be used to create neon signs: neon, krypton, xenon and argon. —Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2020

In the moon's vacuum, atoms of noble gases such as argon and krypton will be captured in the aluminum. —James R. Berry, Popular Mechanics, 19 July 2019

Mercury is much heavier than either xenon or krypton, so spacecraft carrying them would be able to generate more thrust. —Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 20 Nov. 2018

But Hahn and Strassmann knew nothing about krypton. —Jeremy Bernstein, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2017

The new model suggests our home planet contains significantly more sodium, potassium, chlorine, zinc, strontium, fluorine, gallium, rubidium, niobium, gadolinium, tantalum, helium, argon, and krypton than previously believed. —Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, 18 Sep. 2017

Alas, the fuddy-duddies of international mineral nomenclature insist that, since the stone doesn’t actually contain the real-world element krypton, it can’t be officially called kryptonite. —Brandon Keim, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2007

Word History

Etymology

Greek, neuter of kryptos hidden — more at crypt

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

krypton

noun

kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän 

: a colorless gaseous element found in air and used especially in electric lamps see element

Medical Definition

krypton

noun

kryp·​ton ˈkrip-ˌtän 

: a colorless relatively inert gaseous element found in air at about one part per million

—symbol Kr see Chemical Elements Table