argon

[ ahr-gon ]
/ ˈɑr gɒn /

noun Chemistry.

a colorless, odorless, chemically inactive, monatomic, gaseous element that, because of its inertness, is used for filling fluorescent and incandescent lamps and vacuum tubes. Symbol: Ar; atomic number: 18; atomic weight: 39.948.

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Origin of argon

1890–95; < Greek, neuter of argós inactive, not working, idle, contraction of aergós equivalent to a- a-6 + érg(on) work + -os adj. suffix

Words nearby argon

argive, argle-bargle, argo, argol, argolis, argon, argonaut, argonauts, argonne, argonne forest, argonon
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for argon

British Dictionary definitions for argon

argon
/ (ˈɑːɡɒn) /

noun

an extremely unreactive colourless odourless element of the rare gas series that forms almost 1 per cent (by volume) of the atmosphere. It is used in electric lights. Symbol: Ar; atomic no: 18; atomic wt: 39.948; density: 1.7837 kg/m³; freezing pt: –189.3°C; boiling pt: –185.9°C

Word Origin for argon

C19: from Greek, from argos idle, inactive, from a- 1 + ergon work
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for argon

argon
[ är′gŏn′ ]

n. Symbol Ar

A colorless, inert gaseous element constituting approximately one percent of the earth's atmosphere, used in electric bulbs and fluorescent tubes and in lasers used for opthalmic procedures. Atomic number 18.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for argon

argon
[ är′gŏn′ ]

Ar

A colorless, odorless element in the noble gas group. Argon makes up about one percent of the atmosphere. It is used in electric light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and radio vacuum tubes. Atomic number 18; atomic weight 39.948; melting point -189.2°C; boiling point -185.7°C. See Periodic Table.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.