: 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
Past eclipses have enabled scientists to study the sun’s structure, provide the first proof of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and even discover helium decades before the element was found on Earth.
—
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
As of March 11, 2022, the city of Encinitas prohibited stores from selling balloons filled with helium or gas, which is lighter than air.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The other is the high-pressure test in which helium is pumped through the system to see if gas leaks out.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Business filings and his LinkedIn profile suggest Gray left the venture to launch a helium and natural gas company.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Then there’s research to consider, as well as the ballooning cost of helium itself.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024
The researchers started by shooting a laser pulse at an aluminum plate inside a chamber filled with helium.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Jan. 2024
Thrill Waterpark, with 13 slides and a wave pool; the 1,600-foot zip line; and Up, Up, and Away (a helium balloon ride) all cost extra.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2024
One is a vacuum test using a wand spraying helium to see if it it is being sucked into the system.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
As of March 11, 2022, the city of Encinitas prohibited stores from selling balloons filled with helium or gas, which is lighter than air.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The other is the high-pressure test in which helium is pumped through the system to see if gas leaks out.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Business filings and his LinkedIn profile suggest Gray left the venture to launch a helium and natural gas company.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Then there’s research to consider, as well as the ballooning cost of helium itself.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2024
The researchers started by shooting a laser pulse at an aluminum plate inside a chamber filled with helium.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Jan. 2024
Thrill Waterpark, with 13 slides and a wave pool; the 1,600-foot zip line; and Up, Up, and Away (a helium balloon ride) all cost extra.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2024
One is a vacuum test using a wand spraying helium to see if it it is being sucked into the system.
—Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 19 Apr. 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
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