: 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
What to read next Around 57 years later in 1920, British scientist Arthur Eddington first suggested stars like the sun are actually powered by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen to helium.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
Fertilizer and helium, for example, have both been subject to higher costs, factors that will eventually influence food and semiconductor prices respectively.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
But the big ones—Starliner’s helium leaks and overheating control thrusters—remain under investigation, said Kent Rominger, a former Space Shuttle commander and member of NASA’s independent safety panel.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Prices of other commodities like helium and sulfur remain high.
—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for helium
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Robert Lea,
Space.com,
3 July 2026
Fertilizer and helium, for example, have both been subject to higher costs, factors that will eventually influence food and semiconductor prices respectively.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 July 2026
But the big ones—Starliner’s helium leaks and overheating control thrusters—remain under investigation, said Kent Rominger, a former Space Shuttle commander and member of NASA’s independent safety panel.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
Prices of other commodities like helium and sulfur remain high.
—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for helium
Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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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