: 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
The riskiest stunt and probably best known, however, was his leap from over 128,000 feet from a helium balloon in 2012 to break the then-parachute record of 102,800 feet, set in 1960 by the late great USAF Col. Joe Kittinger.
—
Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
These changes include new seals to plug helium leaks and thermal shunts and barriers to keep the spacecraft's thrusters from overheating.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Courtesy of Netflix Advertisement The helium balloon came to exist because Richard Heene liked to conduct science experiments and film them—often taking his kids out to chase tornadoes.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 July 2025
Eight 4-Hers and some younger siblings held the white, 8-foot diameter balloon and its payload tethered to Earth with gloved hands as VU meteorologists topped off the helium.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helium
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Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
These changes include new seals to plug helium leaks and thermal shunts and barriers to keep the spacecraft's thrusters from overheating.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2025
Courtesy of Netflix Advertisement The helium balloon came to exist because Richard Heene liked to conduct science experiments and film them—often taking his kids out to chase tornadoes.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 July 2025
Eight 4-Hers and some younger siblings held the white, 8-foot diameter balloon and its payload tethered to Earth with gloved hands as VU meteorologists topped off the helium.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for helium
Cite this Entry
“Helium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helium. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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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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