argon
Americannoun
noun
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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.
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See Periodic Table
Etymology
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
Vocabulary lists containing argon
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chip makers have long-term contracts with suppliers of critical gases like helium, nitrogen, and argon that allow them to keep production running in case of disruption.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
His frame is lit from within, head-to-toe, by argon trapped in electrified tubes shaped to resemble the human circulatory system, making his soul visible.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2025
Earth’s atmosphere is a blend of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and other gases.
From Seattle Times ● May 8, 2024
To date the ice, Sarah Shackleton, a paleoclimatologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and her team analyzed the argon isotopes contained in its air bubbles.
From Science Magazine ● Apr. 21, 2024
There are small traces of nitrogen, water vapor, argon, carbon monoxide and other gases, but the only hydrocarbons or carbohydrates present are there in less than 0.1 parts per million.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
