indium

American  

[in-dee-uhm] / ˈɪn di əm /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a rare metallic element, soft, white, malleable, and easily fusible, found combined in various ore minerals, especially sphalerite: so called from the two indigo-blue lines in its spectrum. In; 114.82; 49; 7.3 at 20°C.

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indium British  

/ ˈɪndɪəm /

noun

1. a rare soft silvery metallic element associated with zinc ores: used in alloys, electronics, and electroplating. Symbol: In; atomic no: 49; atomic wt: 114.82; valency: 1, 2, or 3; relative density: 7.31; melting pt: 156.63°C; boiling pt: 2073°C

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indium Scientific  

/ ĭn′dē-əm /

1. A soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element that occurs mainly in ores of zinc and lead. It is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, in bearings for aircraft engines, and as a plating over silver in mirrors. Atomic number 49; atomic weight 114.82; melting point 156.61°C; boiling point 2,080°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 1, 2, 3.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of indium

1860–65; < New Latin, equivalent to ind ( icum ) indigo + -ium -ium

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

indium

After Mr. Trump returned to office, China imposed further export controls on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, indium and seven medium and heavy rare earths, including dysprosium and terbium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

The Defense Logistics Agency has already asked for bids to stockpile up to 403 tons of indium over three years — more than a third of a year’s global output.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

The material contains micrometer-scale gold crenelated structures positioned above an insulating layer and a semiconductor made from a mixture of indium and antimony.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

The cylinder itself is sealed with a thin protective layer of a soft, malleable metal called indium.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

NIOBIUM: 6 funnels of 277 atoms 1662 Central globe 57 ---- Total 1719 ---- Atomic weight 93.25 Number weight 1719/18 95.50 III a.—Aluminium, gallium and indium were examined from this group.

From Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by A. P. Sinnett

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