Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1800-1900
Language: Greek
Origin: helios 'sun'; because it was discovered in the sun's spectrum

helium

 noun
     
Related topics: Chemistry
he‧li‧um [uncountable]
HC a gas that is lighter than air and is used to make balloons float. It is a chemical element: symbol He
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary