What is helium? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of helium

heliumnoun
heli
/ˈhiːliəm//ˈhiːliəm/

Where does the word helium come from?

The word "helium" originates from the Greek words "helios" meaning "sun" and "haima" meaning "blood". This was due to the fact that helium was discovered in the sun in 1868 by French astronomer Jules Janssen and British astronomer Norman Lockyer during a solar eclipse. They identified a new element in the sun's corona, which they named "helium" after the Greek words for sun and blood. Later, in 1895, Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay isolated helium on Earth for the first time, extracting it from natural gas deposits in the United Kingdom. The name "helium" was officially adopted for the new element, recognizing its connection to the sun and its discovery in the context of solar research. Today, helium is a noble gas used in a variety of applications, including balloons, cryogenics, and medical imaging.

Vocabulary summary helium

type noun

meaning (chemistry) helium

Example of vocabulary heliumnamespace

The party decorations included several helium-filled balloons that floated high in the air.
The scientist released a small amount of helium into the container to inflate the mylar balloon.
After filling the bucket with water, the lifeguard dropped a helium-filled toy boat into it to test its floatability.
The Norblu concept car features an interior lined with a helium-filled coating that provides a unique sensory experience.
The lighter-than-air helium gas allows for the construction of large airships that can transport cargo across long distances.